LAKERS -at- WIZARDS - 2/3 - Thoughts and :-)) ratings

 
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DancingBarry
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PostPosted: Sat Feb 03, 2007 9:04 pm    Post subject: LAKERS -at- WIZARDS - 2/3 - Thoughts and :-)) ratings

Quality Shots... After dropping a game they should have won against Indy the previous night, the Lakers made a stand against the Wizards. Kobe wasn't about to have two horrid shooting nights in a row and torched the Wizards for 39 points and 6 assists on the way to the 118-102 much-needed road win.

The crowd was certainly buzzing for a Arenas vs. Kobe rematch. Both players delivered high scoring games. Kobe was efficient and effective, Arenas was 3-15 from beyond the arc. Kobe downplayed the match up.

"At this point in my career, it's not something that really excites me," Kobe said. "What's exciting is coming into this building after we dropped a game last night, and coming here and playing well."

Arenas and the Wizards said after the game that they had been too focused on this rematch. "We got caught up in the rematch," Jarvis Hayes said. "We were feeling this game since last week. I think we'll be fine now that we got this game out of our system." Arenas definitely looked like he was pressing and stressing, even before the game started. "It was one of those times I was trying to focus in, but it backfired," Arenas said. "Lesson learned."

All five Laker starters scored in double digits, making a much more balanced and effective attack for the first time on this trip. The Lakers shot 52 percent and had just 12 turnovers.


Kobe -- -- The Lakers had to get this W. Thankfully, the shooting woes that affected Kobe in the last game were done and gone 24 hours later. He said he could sense some of the energy in the crowd and tried to feed off of that. He feasted for 39 points on 14-26 shooting (2-5 from three and 9-10 from the line), pulled down 6 boards and dished 6 assists in 44 minutes. Very aggressive game from start to finish. Shots that were rim last night were bottom of the net tonight. Let's get to the action: He posted up and hit a turnaround at the elbow. He fell and lost the ball. He missed a couple of jumpers. He had his foot stepped on then was called for the travel. He picked up a loose ball in the backcourt and dunked. He drained a baseline jumper. He got tied up trying to work in the post, he then won the tip against Thomas, Lamar gave it back to him and he hit a FT jumper. He hit Lamar on a kickout for a three. He pulled up and drained a wing three trying to go for a two-for-one. Arenas hit a three on one end, Kobe answered with a wing three on the other. Quickly into the set, he pulled up with a heatcheck wing jumper and swished. He missed a point-blank dunk with no one around him and put his hands to his face. The Wizards then tried to score in transition, they missed and Vlad immediately outlet to Kobe who was still at the other end and he threw down a 360 dunk. He missed a three. He threw a bullet pass to Smush under the hoop for a layup. He posted up, stepped through and missed, then missed a tip in attempt. He spun away from the double team, attacked the baseline and kicked it to Smush for the three. He had 20 points on 9-16 shooting in the first half and 3 assists. After not shooting a FT in the first half, he attacked off the dribble, drew contact and got to the line to start the second half, he made both. He popped out behind the screens, took the ball reverse and hit an open wing jumper. He slapped down a pass, took it the distance and threw down a tomahawk dunk. He swung through at the wing, attacked, stepped around Arenas's help D and scored. He attacked, drew contact on the arms and made a couple FTs. He had a mismatch against Blatche, got him to bite on a pumpfake, then drew contact for FTs, making both. He missed a fade and a triple-pumping jumper late in the third and Phil sat him to rest. He hit a pull-up wing jumper. He was hit on a swing-through move, but the refs said Arenas stripped him, those are usually FTs for Kobe. He flashed to the ball and hit a FT jumper on the next possession. He gave up a 4-point play to Arenas, fouling him on the three (he didn't agree with the call). He attacked Arenas, drew a whistle and made both FTs. He hit Smush off the high pinch post for layup. He hit Smush on the breakaway for a reverse jam. He missed a three. He drew a foul on a long fade and made one FT. Great game, and he got some much better help from his teammates in this one.

Lamar -- -- LO's long ball was a difference-maker in this game as he went 4-5 from three. He stepped up this time to start the fourth quarter with the second unit (not just on the offensive end, either...he had some great defensive plays in that stint). He was a bit more active inside and out that the previous passive game. He had Jarvis Hayes defending him early, so he definitely needed to go to the post. Lamar finished with 19 points on 6-13 shooting, pulled down 11 boards and had 5 assists wtih 3 turnovers in 42 minutes. He pulled down the rebound, pushed it out and scored with the Wizards on their heels. He found Bynum for a score after getting penetration. He posted up and drew an immediate foul. On his next post up, he drew a double and fed Drew for a layup. He drained a three a couple feet behind the line and straight away when Kobe kicked out to him. He just missed banking a runner three at the first quarter buzzer. He missed a baseline jumper. He was fouled away from the ball under the hoop when a guard was on him, he made one FT. He swished a sideline jumper with the clock low. He posted up off the dribble and missed an easy bank shot. He hit Bynum with an interior feed and it led to FTs. He missed a pull-up jumper. He missed a long jumper over the zone. He ripped a rebound from Blatche, pushed it the length of the court and drew FTs, he made both. With Kobe on the bench to start the fourth, Lamar stepped up early nailing back-to-back threes against the shotclock. He knocked a ball loose from a guard. He snagged another ball off guard penetration. Great stint as he went to the bench with a double-digit lead still intact. He beat the shotclock buzzer with a long three straight away, the nail in the coffin for the Wizards with a couple minutes left.

Bynum -- -- Great game from Drew, delivering the double-double. He was very steady from start to finish and that says a lot, considering his youth...and even more considering he played 36 minutes on the second night of a back-to-back. This summer, that might have affected him. He finished with 12 points on 5-9 shooting and pulled down 13 boards. He also dished a couple of assists, stole a ball and blocked a shot. He missed a hook on his first attempt. He took an interior feed from Lamar and banked it in. He missed a jumphook off a series of post moves. He hit Smush with a pass from the high post for an And-1 reverse layup. He contested a backdoor by Daniels and forced a miss. He dunked off a quick feed by Vlad as he trailed the break. The Lakers threw a full-court pass to him, he tried to grab it and heave up a buzzer beater but was short as he couldn't get control. He had 6 points and 8 boards in the first half. Smush worked a little two-man sequence and hit Bynum with a lob for a layup. He was fouled off an interior feed from LO and made both FTs. He caught a pass, looked like he was going up when a player landed on him but he didn't get FTs out of it. He kicked out to Evans for a jumper. He took a corner feed with good position, went quickly and got a jumphook to drop. He swatted Arenas on a drive.

Smush -- -- He got the assignment on Arenas and did a pretty reasonable job, especially considering Arenas was going to get up for this game. Gilbert shot 3-15 from three...quality shots, lol...Wow. I like Gilbert, but that is ridiculous. Arenas finished 9-29 for 37 points (16-17 from the FT line, some real generous calls at times, too). A lot of nice ball denial defense at times by Smush. FOr his own part, Smush again had some strong offensive output. He scored 20 points on 8-16 shooting (2-6 from three, 2-3 from the line), pulled down 3 boards and dished 3 assists without a turnover. He pulled up off a screen and hit a wing jumper. He airballed a wide open jumper on the baseline. He scored an And-1 reverse off a great pass from Bynum, he made the FT. He scored a layup when he was left open under the hoop and Kobe hit him with a bullet. He sank an open corner three on a kickout from Kobe. He missed a corner three. Nice lob to Bynum off a two-man sequence and it led to a score. He choked a breakaway layup not focusing on the finish. No one covered him as he went to set up the offense at the wing so he drained an open three. He missed a three on one end, then slapped his man on the shoulder for an easy And-1 on the other. He attacked in transition, got the rim and scored a layup. He attacked the paint, drew contact and a foul, he made one. He scored a layup off the high pinch post with Kobe. Smush stripped his man, then busted out and Kobe outlet to him for a reverse jam. Quality game.

Radmanovic -- -- Decent game from Vlad, even if his three ball was struggling. He certainly didn't have an easy matchup at the SF, but he didn't get abused. While he can certainly improve on his execution in the offense, he hasn't stuck out badly in the triangle lately. Some very good passing in this one (which we desperately need from the SF with Luke out). Vlad scored 12 points on 4-8 shooting (1-4 from three, 3-3 from the line), 5 boards and 4 assists in 30 minutes. He picked up two quick fouls, one on Bulter, the other on Arenas and had to sit early. After a miss by Shammond, Vlad gathered it and scored under the hoop. Great recognition, throwing a long outlet to Kobe still at the other end for a 360 dunk. He attacked from the wing and hit a runner over the help D. He challenged Caron on the break and forced a miss. He missed a wing three. He missed a wide open corner three off a kickout form LO and he was pissed. Great quick feed from the corner to Bynum in the lane trailing the break for a dunk. Caron overplayed the entry pass so Vlad took off on the dribble and hit an And-1 hook in the lane, he made the FT. He missed wing three on his next attempt. He drew a foul and made both FTs. He swished a late wing three.

Turiaf -- -- Rough game for Ronny, picking up 5 fouls in just 11:33. Thankfully, Bynum wasn't in need of help tonight. Ronny scored 3 points, scoring on his only attempt and pulled down just 1 board. It looked like he drew a charge on Arenas, but the call went the other way. He filled the lane, took a feed from Smush and banked in an And-1, he made the FT. He picked up a loose ball foul trying to flag down a blocked Farmar shot, nice effort. Sure wish we could get him in at the PF spot, but that's not going to happen until Kwame gets back.

Evans -- -- Much better game from Mo. They needed him to step up on both ends tonight and he answered the call. Evans scored 8 points on 3-4 shooting and 3 boards in 21 minutes. He and Vlad held Caron to 15 points on 5-18 shooting. He posted up, spun on his man, exploded for a dunk and drew an offensive interference call on the Wizards. He flashed to the post, took the feed, stepped back and hit a short baseline jumper. He stripped Arenas with a reach on one end, busted out on the break, tucked the ball in like a running back and drew a foul for FTs, he made both. He somehow flagged down a tough outlet from Lamar, tip-toed the baseline and saved it, great play. He hit a 20-footer off a kickout from Bynum.

Farmar -- -- Another weak outing from Farmar. He played 11 minutes, didn't score, talled 2 assists, 1 steal and 2 turnovers. He had an entry pass picked off. He kicked out to Lamar for a three. He lost the handle trying to push out the break and turned it over. He was blocked on a wing three.

Cook -- -- Cook played just 3 minutes, he didn't shoot and had an assist. He stripped a ball off a guard who penetrated for a steal.

Vujacic -- -- Sasha made the most of his short minutes tonight, giving the Lakers some impact on both ends in just 4 minutes. He scored 5 points on 1-2 shooting and had a steal. Off the bench late in the third and he immediately banged in a three a couple feet behind the line, "quality shot". He swiped a lazy pass from Blatche, pushed it up and drew a foul, he made both FTs. He missed a pull-up jumper in transition and wanted the foul.

Shammond -- -- After several short stints, Shammond finally got a shot up in this one. He missed a three. Caron slapped the ball off him for a turnover. That was his 1:42 worth of action.

Phil -- -- With the team arriving in D.C. at 3 a.m., Phil took them on a tour of the Capitol instead of the shoot around. You certainly couldn't tell it was the second night of a back-to-back and the fourth game in five nights with the way they were playing. Too bad they couldn't get that on the first game of their back-to-backs... Defensively, Phil said they were going to match up with whomever the Wizards matched up on them. He didn't want to worry about guys getting lost in transition having to switch up. Smart choice. We definitely get crossed up sometimes doing that. Plus, we need Kobe on the floor and don't need any cheap fouls on Arenas... The Lakers shot 50 percent to the Wizards 40 percent in the first half. But the Wizards shot 8-11 from the line while the Laker only 4-5. The Wizards finished 27-34 from the line and the Lakers a solid 24-27... The Wizards scored 14 points on the break as the Lakers were slow to get back at times in the first half. The Lakers beat them on the break 13-5 in the second half... The Lakers had just 12 turnovers in the game... Much better production from the rest of the cast tonight versus previous games...


Last edited by DancingBarry on Sun Feb 04, 2007 12:41 am; edited 1 time in total
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PostPosted: Sat Feb 03, 2007 9:11 pm    Post subject:

Thank GOd we got this win. I really can't stand it when a team sweeps us for the season. Especially teams we battle from the East coast. We only see them twice a year. The way Washington or I should say Gilbert Arenas dimmorilized us with 60 points a month ago. It was only right that we got them back at their home court.
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PostPosted: Sat Feb 03, 2007 10:28 pm    Post subject:

Thanks DB.

A far more enjoyable game.

Kobe, LO, Drew all played the way they are capable of (very good).

Smush scored very well but his decision making still scares me to no end. That 6 point change by him taking a quick 3 (when Lamar was asking for the ball in the post) and then fouling his man in transition is just the type of play that will seriously change the momentum of a big game sometime in the playoffs.

Radmanovic is playing his most consistent ball of the season. He's going to annoy you with some of his plays, but IMO he's a very good talent that is slowly putting things together (Passing better, positioning himself better for rebounds, slashing more effectively etc). If his game comes around like it is right now along with the shooting .. that'll be very good.
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PostPosted: Sat Feb 03, 2007 11:08 pm    Post subject:

The Wizards announcers said something interesting about tonight's game that made me think, and I want to get your opinions on this. Do you (general you so anyone can answer) think the Lakers were looking ahead to tonight's game and that is why they had the letdown against the Pacers? It was a sloppy game, but it is things that could have been corrected.

Also, I guess I have not been paying much attention to this, but why hasn't Cook been playing much? Is it just part of Phil's rotation, or is Cook injured, or is he being disciplined? He used to get a lot more minutes but lately has just not been playing much at all?

The conspiracy theorist in me could say it is because Vlad is being showcased for a possible trade, or Cook is being kept healthy for a possible trade, but I don't think that is the case.
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PostPosted: Sat Feb 03, 2007 11:14 pm    Post subject:

DB,

Kobe was 2-5 from three point land.

http://popcornmachine.net/cgi-bin/boxscore.cgi?date=20070203&game=LALWAS
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PostPosted: Sat Feb 03, 2007 11:33 pm    Post subject:

DB- why do you think Farmar is regressing so? The first part of the season he could do no wrong. Now he seems very uncomfortable out there and is making very poor decisions. Was he overachieving to begin the season and finally realized he was a rookie?
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PostPosted: Sat Feb 03, 2007 11:38 pm    Post subject:

Mr. EiGhTy-OnE wrote:
DB- why do you think Farmar is regressing so? The first part of the season he could do no wrong. Now he seems very uncomfortable out there and is making very poor decisions. Was he overachieving to begin the season and finally realized he was a rookie?


Maybe he hit the rookie wall?
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PostPosted: Sun Feb 04, 2007 12:06 am    Post subject:

I don't think some players respond well being on such a short leash. And playing so few minutes, Farmar isn't getting the chance most nights to get his confidence back up.
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PostPosted: Sun Feb 04, 2007 12:26 am    Post subject:

i thinnk farmar will bounce back.. i think his mins is being monitored by phil, i think he'll play better after the all star break..
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PostPosted: Sun Feb 04, 2007 12:46 am    Post subject:

encina1 wrote:
The Wizards announcers said something interesting about tonight's game that made me think, and I want to get your opinions on this. Do you (general you so anyone can answer) think the Lakers were looking ahead to tonight's game and that is why they had the letdown against the Pacers? It was a sloppy game, but it is things that could have been corrected.


Nope. I think everyone outside of Kobe and some Smush has played lousy ball on the road before this game. NY, Bos, Indy...they all played like crud. Kobe went off in Boston, but everyone else stunk. He has an off-shooting game, and that bad play becomes of the rest of the team is just more exposed. After losing to the Knicks, they were plenty focused to take on Indy...they just sucked, as Phil said.

Quote:

Also, I guess I have not been paying much attention to this, but why hasn't Cook been playing much? Is it just part of Phil's rotation, or is Cook injured, or is he being disciplined? He used to get a lot more minutes but lately has just not been playing much at all?

The conspiracy theorist in me could say it is because Vlad is being showcased for a possible trade, or Cook is being kept healthy for a possible trade, but I don't think that is the case.


I just think it's a case of LO back and Cook not getting it done on the defensive end.
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PostPosted: Sun Feb 04, 2007 12:47 am    Post subject:

eniq 0x00 wrote:
DB,

Kobe was 2-5 from three point land.


That was an odd typo. Thanks.
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PostPosted: Sun Feb 04, 2007 12:58 am    Post subject:

Mr. EiGhTy-OnE wrote:
DB- why do you think Farmar is regressing so? The first part of the season he could do no wrong. Now he seems very uncomfortable out there and is making very poor decisions. Was he overachieving to begin the season and finally realized he was a rookie?


Tough to say. I don't think he was overachieving so much because a lot of his best plays were using his head and reading opportunities in the offense. You don't suddenly go on a "hot streak" for weeks in your read and react skills. I almost think he's not being as aggressive as he should. I think the team has been suffering by not working the ball around as much and that perhaps he's trying to push the ball movement to the extreme and that is taking away from his dynamic as a scoring threat.

It could be that he is hitting a wall, but I just don't see some of the same things on the floor as we have in the past. He's not working off the ball as well, he's not attacking the lane as much for floaters or setting up teammates, we don't see him using his speed a lot. That kind of thing.
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PostPosted: Sun Feb 04, 2007 8:46 am    Post subject:

Didn't catch the game, anyone care to share who Kobe guarded and how he did on that assigment. Did he guard Gil or was it Smush that was on him most of the time? Thanks
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PostPosted: Sun Feb 04, 2007 9:06 am    Post subject:

akk7 wrote:
Didn't catch the game, anyone care to share who Kobe guarded and how he did on that assigment. Did he guard Gil or was it Smush that was on him most of the time? Thanks

Kobe was on Arenas a few plays and ofcourse Gil took that as a challenge to his manhood LOL. Gil had 2-3 tough tough shots on Kobe. One was a 3 in his face. The other was a 3 plus the foul. One play he just drove right past Kobe and layed it in (but this was Andrew's fault as he didn't anchor the D behind Kobe on time).

Other than that .. there were a few other times that they matched up but Kobe didn't allow him to score or take a shot iirc.

Kobe was on Stevenson more and he hit a few on him.

Not really a good defensive game from Kobe - man D wise. I thought his team D was better and didn't lose his man off the ball or play too much for steals etc.

Hell with that type of O performance, you don't even expect the guy to have enough energy for defense.

We also crowded Arenas much better. Forced him into alot of tough shots. It was Parker who mostly checked him but with lots of help. Lots of slapping the ball away from Arenas when he was driving. Lots of challenging of his shots from Bynum/Odom. Really .. we played excellent team D last night IMO. A great example of how man D is overrated and team D is underrated. If you force teams into their weaker players taking shots .. or best players forcing tough shots .. that is exactly how you can defend in the NBA with the new rules.
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PostPosted: Sun Feb 04, 2007 9:52 am    Post subject:

Jordan seems to be putting pressure on himself. He is suffering from Luke-itis right now and overthinking the game. At times he is indecisive and other times he's too decisive, making his mind up on offense without reading the defense. He's not feeling the game and letting it come to him but I think he will loosen up soon, he's a smart player.
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PostPosted: Sun Feb 04, 2007 10:06 am    Post subject:

see I don't like how people said Kobe didn't get back on D on his dunk play. He wasn't cherry picking. Look at the video, he was at the three point line before the wizards even shot the ball. He ran out when vlad got the rebound.
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PostPosted: Sun Feb 04, 2007 10:35 am    Post subject:

wolfpaclaker wrote:
Thanks DB.

A far more enjoyable game.

Kobe, LO, Drew all played the way they are capable of (very good).

Smush scored very well but his decision making still scares me to no end. That 6 point change by him taking a quick 3 (when Lamar was asking for the ball in the post) and then fouling his man in transition is just the type of play that will seriously change the momentum of a big game sometime in the playoffs.

Radmanovic is playing his most consistent ball of the season. He's going to annoy you with some of his plays, but IMO he's a very good talent that is slowly putting things together (Passing better, positioning himself better for rebounds, slashing more effectively etc). If his game comes around like it is right now along with the shooting .. that'll be very good.


I don't have a problem with that 3. He had his feet set, and from the looks of it, there was little chance that the Wizards would come back(no defense). I did have a problem with that 3 in the corner in the 3rd quarter. I know he was wide open, however, he never set his feet or settle down to recognize that we had a chance to get separation.
See, your "feeling" changes throughout the game, according to the score, you have to recognize these points and adjust accordingly. It's what makes winners. In this case, the winners would have taken time to set their feet(which give them time to settle down at the same time), and IF they're still open, THEN they shoot.

That said, I was actually impressed that he knew to pass to Ronny on the break, instead of Kobe or taking it in himself(either of which probably would have been a turnover). Now that's the point guard instinct that we need.

Really, Smush could be quite serviceable if he would just grasp all of these basic subtleties.
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PostPosted: Sun Feb 04, 2007 1:09 pm    Post subject:

Another question, How long does this take you DB? Writing this all up.
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PostPosted: Sun Feb 04, 2007 1:15 pm    Post subject:

wolfpaclaker wrote:
akk7 wrote:
Didn't catch the game, anyone care to share who Kobe guarded and how he did on that assigment. Did he guard Gil or was it Smush that was on him most of the time? Thanks

Kobe was on Arenas a few plays and ofcourse Gil took that as a challenge to his manhood LOL. Gil had 2-3 tough tough shots on Kobe. One was a 3 in his face. The other was a 3 plus the foul. One play he just drove right past Kobe and layed it in (but this was Andrew's fault as he didn't anchor the D behind Kobe on time).

Other than that .. there were a few other times that they matched up but Kobe didn't allow him to score or take a shot iirc.

Kobe was on Stevenson more and he hit a few on him.

Not really a good defensive game from Kobe - man D wise. I thought his team D was better and didn't lose his man off the ball or play too much for steals etc.

Hell with that type of O performance, you don't even expect the guy to have enough energy for defense.

We also crowded Arenas much better. Forced him into alot of tough shots. It was Parker who mostly checked him but with lots of help. Lots of slapping the ball away from Arenas when he was driving. Lots of challenging of his shots from Bynum/Odom. Really .. we played excellent team D last night IMO. A great example of how man D is overrated and team D is underrated. If you force teams into their weaker players taking shots .. or best players forcing tough shots .. that is exactly how you can defend in the NBA with the new rules.



Arenas badly palmed the ball on both the crossover on Kobe and the 3 where he was fouled.
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PostPosted: Sun Feb 04, 2007 1:44 pm    Post subject:

akk7 wrote:
Another question, How long does this take you DB? Writing this all up.


I take notes all game long. Then it takes about an hour/hour and half to put it all together depending on my focus.
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PostPosted: Sun Feb 04, 2007 5:59 pm    Post subject:

Thanks DB. Good game.

Kobe was Kobe.

I was impressed w/ Smush. Offense will probably come and go w/ him...but he was in the moment verse Arenas on the defensive end. He wasn't giving up on plays as early as he usually does..he just stayed w/ Gilbert for the most part...and it paid off. Frankly, it just looked like he gave a (bleep) last night. When he does, he can be a pretty good defender. I find myself saying that too much...it would be great if he played w/ that kind of effort nightly.

I was pleased to see Lamar redeem himself as someone who can carry this team for stretches w/ out Kobe...knocking down the threes in the 4th. That said, he's a career 32% shooter from distance...and I think he is much more dangerous going toward the basket...whether that's in transition or in the half court.

His versatility gives him the ability to mix things up...and that's fine...but, I'd like to see the team tweak his game a bit...emphasizing his interior play more than any other team Lamar has been on in the past.. 32% of LO's attempts are from distance...Dirk Nowitzki, who is over 40% from downtown...only takes 14% of his shots from range.

Cadet put up Walton numbers...and has played w/ a pulse over the course of the past 5 games. He's shot over 50% in all of them...43% 3's....now he has to remain a contributor even after the return of Luke...whether he gets benched or not. I don't want to see him drifting off into space just because he has someone challenging him for minutes.

Bynum looked good w/ another double-double. That's his 9th of the season...which equals the number Kwame put up in his 79 games last season (including playoffs).

Sasha is 55% on 16/29 shooting from 3 point land ever since the Dallas game (nearly a month ago).
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DancingBarry
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PostPosted: Sun Feb 04, 2007 7:31 pm    Post subject:

sean2023 wrote:
I was pleased to see Lamar redeem himself as someone who can carry this team for stretches w/ out Kobe...knocking down the threes in the 4th. That said, he's a career 32% shooter from distance...and I think he is much more dangerous going toward the basket...whether that's in transition or in the half court.

His versatility gives him the ability to mix things up...and that's fine...but, I'd like to see the team tweak his game a bit...emphasizing his interior play more than any other team Lamar has been on in the past.. 32% of LO's attempts are from distance...Dirk Nowitzki, who is over 40% from downtown...only takes 14% of his shots from range.

I agree. He needs some go-to possessions on the block at key points in the game. Hard to knock a guy though if he's feeling it from distance...plus both of those shots were against the shotclock. Just seemed he had much more of a presence on the court this game versus the last game despite the made jumpers.

Quote:

Sasha is 55% on 16/29 shooting from 3 point land ever since the Dallas game (nearly a month ago).


Good stat. I rarely like to say a player had a breakthrough type game...but it felt like it at the time in that Dallas game. Glad to see he's knocking them down with consistency since then...like they say he had been doing in practice.
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kobe0825
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PostPosted: Mon Feb 05, 2007 7:08 am    Post subject:

If Lamar hadn't hit those 3s I would've hated him but he made them, which doesn't make me less sick with his inability to drive the ball agains this team.

Did I see it correctly or did Smush actually do a good job of defending?
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