Ejection. Turnovers. Loss. In their final game of the tumultuous 2012-2013 season, the Lakers were defeated 82-103 by the San Antonio Spurs.
There is very little to analyze in this one. It's been the same story all series. The Lakers were unable to take advantage of their interior play due to their extremely limted back court. Dwight Howard, who had been frustrated with the officiating all series long, was ejected in the 3rd quarter after receiving his second techincal foul. Kobe Bryant joined his mates on the bench shortly after amidst cheers from the Staples Center crowd. When Pau Gasol left the game late in the 4th, he too was greeted with a standing ovation.
Credit San Antonio for being focused and having no mercy on the depleted Lakers. As a competitor you always want to take your opponent's best shot. San Antonio certainly didn't pull any punches. Good luck to them in the next round.
What's Next?
As for the Lakers, this now begins a time when many decisions will be made. Should Pau be traded? Should the amnesty be used? Is Coach D'Antoni going to be the coach going forward? Will Dwight Howard re-sign? I'll cover some of these topics and more in follow on posts throughout the offseason so stay tuned.
This year has been trying. Coaching changes, media drama, and catastrophic injuries have left their mark on this team. And much like those friends who only hang around you when you're doing well and things are going good, all the bandwagon fans have fallen to the wayside. Free to join the OKCs, the Clippers, and the HEATs of the world. I, like so many other loyal Lake Show fans across the world, choose to stay and remain loyal.
This year has had its good times too. The first time we watched Kobe, Nash, Pau, and Dwight in uniform together was special. Watching Kobe dominate at age 34 on his way to earning the nickname "Vino" was something I'll never forget. And lastly watching the team bond through the race for the final playoff spot...it was just simply a lot of fun. Before Kobe went down the league was on notice, trust me. However, it just didn't work out for us this year.
Season Notables:
The Good:
- The team bonded through adversity
- Dwight got much better as the season progressed
- Kobe was every bit "Kobe" and then some
- Some promising young players began to develop (Clark and Hill)
- The race to make the playoffs was just as exciting as the playoffs themselves normally are lol
The Bad:
- Unsure if the team was able to forge an identity when it comes to play style
- Defense was a problem for the majority of the season
- Health uncertainty for next season
- Roster uncertainty for next season
We've been through tough times before, we will rise again. Remember missing the playoffs the year Shaq left? Yeah, we'll be back... ;)
GO LAKERS!!!
Monday, April 29, 2013
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Game 3: Lakers vs Spurs (4/26/13)
With their entire team decimated with injury there was little reason to hope for the Lakers heading in to Game 3. Reality set in as the Spurs controlled the entire game, and the Lakers lost 89-120.
The Lakers D-League backcourt actually shot the ball pretty well (a combined 17 for 32). However they failed to establish any flow to the offense or create for others. It was painful watching the Laker offense struggle to score all night. The Spurs elected to playing 5-on-1 vs Dwight defensively and his teammates were helpless to assist.
On the defensive end the Lakers couldn't stop the rain. Their rotations were slow and frequently incorrect. It's pretty much impossible to overcome the unfamiliarity in the lineups to have the necessary defensive chemistry needed to win playoff basketball games. These guys have never played together and it's quite obvious. It looks very ugly.
Notables:
The Good:
- Back court did alright with all things considered
- No one else got hurt (I think)
The Bad:
- Too many to list
The Lakers will get one more shot tomorrow to avoid elimination. Maybe if they jump on the Spurs early they'll have a chance. At this point though, they've got nothing to lose...
Go LAKERS!!!
The Lakers D-League backcourt actually shot the ball pretty well (a combined 17 for 32). However they failed to establish any flow to the offense or create for others. It was painful watching the Laker offense struggle to score all night. The Spurs elected to playing 5-on-1 vs Dwight defensively and his teammates were helpless to assist.
On the defensive end the Lakers couldn't stop the rain. Their rotations were slow and frequently incorrect. It's pretty much impossible to overcome the unfamiliarity in the lineups to have the necessary defensive chemistry needed to win playoff basketball games. These guys have never played together and it's quite obvious. It looks very ugly.
Notables:
The Good:
- Back court did alright with all things considered
- No one else got hurt (I think)
The Bad:
- Too many to list
The Lakers will get one more shot tomorrow to avoid elimination. Maybe if they jump on the Spurs early they'll have a chance. At this point though, they've got nothing to lose...
Go LAKERS!!!
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Game 2: Lakers at Spurs (4/24/13)
Unable to outplay the Spurs in San Antonio, the Lakers lost 91-102 in Game 2. The Spurs pack the paint defensively, and with the Lakers back court literally in ruins, the Lakers haven't been able to make them pay for that strategy. Check Dancing Barry's review:
DancingBarry's Thoughts and Smiley Ratings
Jodie Meeks was unable to play due to an ankle sprain he suffered in Game 1. Steve Blake injured his hamstring late in this one amking his status for Game 3 questionable. Nash also tweaked his injuries from prior.
It's almost like one of those cartoons where the character has just slipped on a banana, ran into a wall, and gets hit by a car and then says, "Well at least it can't get any worse..." Then it starts to rain. Just terrible season in regards to injury. Worst I've ever personally seen from any team.
The good news for the Lakers is the next game is at home. Technically being down 0-2 when you haven't played a home game yet is not a huge deal since all the other team did was protect their home court. However, the bad news is the Lakers' perimeter players are too beat up to punish the Spurs and loosen up the paint for Dwight and Pau to work. If players like Morris, Duhon, and Goudelock don't step up this series won't last much longer. Staples should provide a much friendlier shooting environment at least.
Spurs lead 2-0
DancingBarry's Thoughts and Smiley Ratings
Jodie Meeks was unable to play due to an ankle sprain he suffered in Game 1. Steve Blake injured his hamstring late in this one amking his status for Game 3 questionable. Nash also tweaked his injuries from prior.
It's almost like one of those cartoons where the character has just slipped on a banana, ran into a wall, and gets hit by a car and then says, "Well at least it can't get any worse..." Then it starts to rain. Just terrible season in regards to injury. Worst I've ever personally seen from any team.
The good news for the Lakers is the next game is at home. Technically being down 0-2 when you haven't played a home game yet is not a huge deal since all the other team did was protect their home court. However, the bad news is the Lakers' perimeter players are too beat up to punish the Spurs and loosen up the paint for Dwight and Pau to work. If players like Morris, Duhon, and Goudelock don't step up this series won't last much longer. Staples should provide a much friendlier shooting environment at least.
Spurs lead 2-0
Monday, April 22, 2013
Game 1: Lakers at Spurs (4/21/13)
The Lakers were unable to knock down open jumpshots, and turned the ball over 18 times which led to their 79-91 loss against San Antonio. Check Dancing Barry's review over at Lakersground:
DancingBarry's Thoughts and Smiley Ratings
The Lakers played good enough defense to win the game. But at the end of the day you've got to knock down some shots yourself to get the win. It's been said that a playoff series doesn't truly start until someone wins a road game. They'll get another opportunity on Wednesday to win a game in San Antonio and gain homecourt advantage in the series. If they can clean up the offense and protect the basketball they will certainly have a fair chance. Go Lakers!!!
Spurs lead 1-0
DancingBarry's Thoughts and Smiley Ratings
The Lakers played good enough defense to win the game. But at the end of the day you've got to knock down some shots yourself to get the win. It's been said that a playoff series doesn't truly start until someone wins a road game. They'll get another opportunity on Wednesday to win a game in San Antonio and gain homecourt advantage in the series. If they can clean up the offense and protect the basketball they will certainly have a fair chance. Go Lakers!!!
Spurs lead 1-0
Friday, April 19, 2013
PLAYOFF Preview: Lakers vs Spurs (Western Conference Round 1)
Laker fans were able to breath a collective sigh of relief after Wednesday night's victory over the Rockets. The win put them in 7th place to make the playoffs, avoiding the Thunder in the first round, but matching them up with the San Antonio Spurs. And while the Spurs are far less athletic than the Thunder, they are also more savvy. Not to mention they have championship experience. This series will be anything but a walk in the park...
Who They Are:
San Antonio is the type of team that plays what most people call "team basketball". All this means is that they typically run a system of plays to score their points instead of relying on isolation plays from a dominant superstar. They will however resort to isolation plays when their offense breaks down, or when they feel they have a mismatch available. With a core of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobli they have the weapons necessary to play that style. Tony Parker is one of the best point guards in the league, and he's absolutely lethal in the pick and roll. Duncan's resume speaks for itself. He can be more than a handful down low. Ginobli causes problems by getting to the rim with the ability to pass out to shooters beyond the arc. In addition to their core the Spurs also have solid role players in Danny Green, Kawhi Leonard, and Gary Neal who can all contribute. They're just a solid team from top to bottom. It's no secret why they have the 2nd best record in the conference.
How We Can Win:
With all that being said about the Spurs, the Lakers are more than capable of meeting the challenge and winning the series. Here's how:
Rebounding
The Lakers were 4th in the league in rebounding this season. Even with Jordan Hill out, they have the personnel to dominate both sides of the glass. With Kobe out, each possession becomes even more important. Every rebound they get is another possession, and another opportunity to score. This also allows the Lakers to control the pace of the game more. In the Lakers last few victories of the season, their rebounding is what saved them and made up for poor shooting percentages.
Defense
It's obvious that they need to play defense to win, but there are some specific things they can do to make life difficult for San Antonio. The Spurs most potent weapon is the pick and roll with Parker and Duncan. It's likely the Lakers will aggressively hedge the screen (where the defender of the screener steps out to slow down the attacking ball handler) and try to force Parker to be a passer. If they do hedge it will be imperative for Dwight to recover to the roll man (likely Duncan) before he can do damage. The rest of the Lakers will be in help & recover mode. They'll have to do this quickly and consistently to make sure the Spurs don't get wide open looks from 3. Regardless of how you play him, Parker will get to the rim. In which case Dwight will step up to contest him. Then it's imperative that the other Lakers step over to cover Dwight's man. This is called helping the "helper", and if the Lakers do it effectively they can win the series.
Pound 'em Inside
Dwight and Pau need to be dominant in this series. I like how Coach D'Antoni has used them down the stretch. Give them BOTH touches in the low post. There's no reason it has to be one or the other. If Pau and Dwight can establish some rhythm down there it will open up the perimeter for the Lakers' shooters. When the Spurs start double teaming, Pau and Dwight are very adept at finding their teammates. Pau needs to facilitate from the elbow, and when Dwight is matched against a slower defender he should attack from the face up position.
X-factors
- Coach Vino. If you didn't know, since Kobe got hurt he's been calling in adjustments from the hospital and his home. It might be a week or two before he can join the team on the sidelines, but that's not stopping Kobe from putting his stamp on the game.
- Health is a major factor for both teams. Will Nash be ready to go? Will Parker and Ginobli be effective?
- The Lakers will need solid bench play from Jamison, Clark, and Meeks (if Nash starts)
- Hack-a-Howard. Coach Popovich will clearly resort to this tactic if he gets desperate. As long as Dwight knocks them down it won't be a probable.
- Rally around the flag effect. We've all seen how the team has bonded over the devastating injury to their captain Kobe. The team has stated they've taken on his identity now. We just saw a legendary run in the NCAA tournament by Louisville after one of their players went down with a gruesome injury. Anybody ready for the NBA equivalent?
The Lakers can win series if they put forth maximum effort and execute the game plan. It's time to get the playoffs started and the Lakers are ready to roll! GO GET 'EM LAKESHOW!!!
Who They Are:
San Antonio is the type of team that plays what most people call "team basketball". All this means is that they typically run a system of plays to score their points instead of relying on isolation plays from a dominant superstar. They will however resort to isolation plays when their offense breaks down, or when they feel they have a mismatch available. With a core of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobli they have the weapons necessary to play that style. Tony Parker is one of the best point guards in the league, and he's absolutely lethal in the pick and roll. Duncan's resume speaks for itself. He can be more than a handful down low. Ginobli causes problems by getting to the rim with the ability to pass out to shooters beyond the arc. In addition to their core the Spurs also have solid role players in Danny Green, Kawhi Leonard, and Gary Neal who can all contribute. They're just a solid team from top to bottom. It's no secret why they have the 2nd best record in the conference.
How We Can Win:
With all that being said about the Spurs, the Lakers are more than capable of meeting the challenge and winning the series. Here's how:
Rebounding
The Lakers were 4th in the league in rebounding this season. Even with Jordan Hill out, they have the personnel to dominate both sides of the glass. With Kobe out, each possession becomes even more important. Every rebound they get is another possession, and another opportunity to score. This also allows the Lakers to control the pace of the game more. In the Lakers last few victories of the season, their rebounding is what saved them and made up for poor shooting percentages.
Defense
It's obvious that they need to play defense to win, but there are some specific things they can do to make life difficult for San Antonio. The Spurs most potent weapon is the pick and roll with Parker and Duncan. It's likely the Lakers will aggressively hedge the screen (where the defender of the screener steps out to slow down the attacking ball handler) and try to force Parker to be a passer. If they do hedge it will be imperative for Dwight to recover to the roll man (likely Duncan) before he can do damage. The rest of the Lakers will be in help & recover mode. They'll have to do this quickly and consistently to make sure the Spurs don't get wide open looks from 3. Regardless of how you play him, Parker will get to the rim. In which case Dwight will step up to contest him. Then it's imperative that the other Lakers step over to cover Dwight's man. This is called helping the "helper", and if the Lakers do it effectively they can win the series.
Pound 'em Inside
Dwight and Pau need to be dominant in this series. I like how Coach D'Antoni has used them down the stretch. Give them BOTH touches in the low post. There's no reason it has to be one or the other. If Pau and Dwight can establish some rhythm down there it will open up the perimeter for the Lakers' shooters. When the Spurs start double teaming, Pau and Dwight are very adept at finding their teammates. Pau needs to facilitate from the elbow, and when Dwight is matched against a slower defender he should attack from the face up position.
X-factors
- Coach Vino. If you didn't know, since Kobe got hurt he's been calling in adjustments from the hospital and his home. It might be a week or two before he can join the team on the sidelines, but that's not stopping Kobe from putting his stamp on the game.
- Health is a major factor for both teams. Will Nash be ready to go? Will Parker and Ginobli be effective?
- The Lakers will need solid bench play from Jamison, Clark, and Meeks (if Nash starts)
- Hack-a-Howard. Coach Popovich will clearly resort to this tactic if he gets desperate. As long as Dwight knocks them down it won't be a probable.
- Rally around the flag effect. We've all seen how the team has bonded over the devastating injury to their captain Kobe. The team has stated they've taken on his identity now. We just saw a legendary run in the NCAA tournament by Louisville after one of their players went down with a gruesome injury. Anybody ready for the NBA equivalent?
The Lakers can win series if they put forth maximum effort and execute the game plan. It's time to get the playoffs started and the Lakers are ready to roll! GO GET 'EM LAKESHOW!!!
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Lakers vs Rockets (4/17/13)
Game number 82 usually has little significance for the Lakers franchise. This year however has been anything but "usual". In the off season the Lakers acquired future Hall of Famers Dwight Howard and Steve Nash along with it some lofty expectations. Fast forward 7 months through a myriad of injuries, coaching changes, and media driven drama and the Lakers would be fighting for their playoff lives on the final day of their season. With the Staples Center crowd supporting them, the Lakers defeated the Houston Rockets 99-95 in overtime, and they claim the number 7 seed in the Western Conference Playoffs.
Just before the game the Lakers received news that the Utah Jazz had lost their game. This guaranteed that the Lakers would at least receive the 8th spot in the playoffs. Many believed this would lead to an emotional let down for the Lakers. However, with a win against the Rockets, the Lakers would overtake them and move into the 7th spot. That would have the Lakers playing the Spurs in the first round instead of the Thunder. So there was still some motivation for the team. I also think it's nice to end the season with a win. Jamison echoed my sentiments after the game in an interview.
The Lakers won this game on the strength of their defense. LA shot only 37% from the field, but they held the highest scoring team in the league to under 100 points in overtime. That's outstanding. You can't mention the Lakers' D without mention the big D, Dwight Howard. He had several key defensive plays including a strip of Jeremy Lin and several stuffs on Harden driving to the rim. With Nash and Bryant out the offense was ran heavily through Gasol. He responded with a triple-double (17 points, 20 rebounds, and 11 assists). This was the Spanish national team Pau Gasol. It really shows his value when he's being utilized correctly. Kobe tweeted his support for Pau after the game, "Can the talk of trading@paugasol come to a cease now??" Hopefully so.
Notables:
The Good:
- Huge games from the Laker bigs. Triple-double from Pau and 16 points, 18 rebounds, and 4 blocks for Dwight
- The Blake Mamba strikes again with 24 points
- Lakers were + 11 on the boards
- Defense was impeccable
The Bad:
- Still no Nash
- Poor shooting percentage
It's been a crazy year for the Lakers, but they've battled through and stuck together. As a result they have the opportunity to compete in the NBA playoffs. With tonight's win they avoid OKC in the first round. However, San Antonio is no picnic. The Lakers will have their work cut out for them, but there is a way they can win the series...Stay tuned for a playoff preview to come tomorrow.
The Lakers finished the closing stretch of the season in great fashion (8-1). They have tons of momentum. They'll need it all to knock the Spurs out. GO LAKERS!!!
Just before the game the Lakers received news that the Utah Jazz had lost their game. This guaranteed that the Lakers would at least receive the 8th spot in the playoffs. Many believed this would lead to an emotional let down for the Lakers. However, with a win against the Rockets, the Lakers would overtake them and move into the 7th spot. That would have the Lakers playing the Spurs in the first round instead of the Thunder. So there was still some motivation for the team. I also think it's nice to end the season with a win. Jamison echoed my sentiments after the game in an interview.
The Lakers won this game on the strength of their defense. LA shot only 37% from the field, but they held the highest scoring team in the league to under 100 points in overtime. That's outstanding. You can't mention the Lakers' D without mention the big D, Dwight Howard. He had several key defensive plays including a strip of Jeremy Lin and several stuffs on Harden driving to the rim. With Nash and Bryant out the offense was ran heavily through Gasol. He responded with a triple-double (17 points, 20 rebounds, and 11 assists). This was the Spanish national team Pau Gasol. It really shows his value when he's being utilized correctly. Kobe tweeted his support for Pau after the game, "Can the talk of trading
Notables:
The Good:
- Huge games from the Laker bigs. Triple-double from Pau and 16 points, 18 rebounds, and 4 blocks for Dwight
- The Blake Mamba strikes again with 24 points
- Lakers were + 11 on the boards
- Defense was impeccable
The Bad:
- Still no Nash
- Poor shooting percentage
It's been a crazy year for the Lakers, but they've battled through and stuck together. As a result they have the opportunity to compete in the NBA playoffs. With tonight's win they avoid OKC in the first round. However, San Antonio is no picnic. The Lakers will have their work cut out for them, but there is a way they can win the series...Stay tuned for a playoff preview to come tomorrow.
The Lakers finished the closing stretch of the season in great fashion (8-1). They have tons of momentum. They'll need it all to knock the Spurs out. GO LAKERS!!!
Monday, April 15, 2013
Lakers vs Spurs (4/15/13)
Fresh off the season ending injury to their superstar, Kobe Bryant, the Lakers had another battle on their hands to prevent their season as a team from ending. They fought hard throughout and pulled off the 91-86 win over the San Antonio Spurs.
Given little time to mourn the loss of Bryant on Friday night, Dwight Howard said that they would have to rely on their defense. That's precisely what the team did against the Spurs. They held the Spurs offense to just 37% shooting from the field. That will get it done on most nights. Most notable was the defense the Lakers played on Tony Parker. He was held to 4 points on 1/10 shooting from the field. Steve Blake played scrappy defense on him all night. He was reaching in, contesting shots, and generally making life hard for Parker, who is trying to recover from injury himself.
The Lakers shot only 37% from the field, but their offensive philosophy was solid. They went inside all game long to Gasol and Howard in the post. Each one was taking turns decimating San Antonio's front line, and when the double teams came they kicked it out to the open man. With Bryant out for the season and Nash still sidelined, that is how they will have to play. Although Gasol had a poor shooting night, he stuck with it and contributed in other ways. His 16 rebounds helped the Lakers win the battle of the boards 58-46. Dwight Howard was in full Superman mode. He had 26 points, 17 rebounds, and 3 blocks. After the game he was asked what the Lakers needed to do to make the playoffs. He replied, "Dominate." Well done, big man. Well done. Seems like Dwight has a little bit of that venom now... ;)
Notables:
The Good:
- The Blake Mamba. 23 points on 50% shooting from Blake.
- Superman getting an edge about him
- Lakers bench gave a nice boost in the 4th
- Won the battle of the boards
- Another crucial win
The Bad:
- 14 turnovers
With 1 game to go in the season it all comes down to this. One of the following 3 scenarios will happen on Wednesday night:
1) The Lakers can get the No. 7 seed (and No. 2 SAS) by beating Houston on Wednesday.
2) If the Lakers lose to Houston and Utah beats Memphis, L.A. would be out of the playoffs, Utah the 8 seed.
3) If Utah loses to Memphis and LAL lose to Houston, LAL would be the 8 seed and play OKC.
So stay tuned Laker fans. Just 1 more to go...GO LAKERS!!!
Given little time to mourn the loss of Bryant on Friday night, Dwight Howard said that they would have to rely on their defense. That's precisely what the team did against the Spurs. They held the Spurs offense to just 37% shooting from the field. That will get it done on most nights. Most notable was the defense the Lakers played on Tony Parker. He was held to 4 points on 1/10 shooting from the field. Steve Blake played scrappy defense on him all night. He was reaching in, contesting shots, and generally making life hard for Parker, who is trying to recover from injury himself.
The Lakers shot only 37% from the field, but their offensive philosophy was solid. They went inside all game long to Gasol and Howard in the post. Each one was taking turns decimating San Antonio's front line, and when the double teams came they kicked it out to the open man. With Bryant out for the season and Nash still sidelined, that is how they will have to play. Although Gasol had a poor shooting night, he stuck with it and contributed in other ways. His 16 rebounds helped the Lakers win the battle of the boards 58-46. Dwight Howard was in full Superman mode. He had 26 points, 17 rebounds, and 3 blocks. After the game he was asked what the Lakers needed to do to make the playoffs. He replied, "Dominate." Well done, big man. Well done. Seems like Dwight has a little bit of that venom now... ;)
Notables:
The Good:
- The Blake Mamba. 23 points on 50% shooting from Blake.
- Superman getting an edge about him
- Lakers bench gave a nice boost in the 4th
- Won the battle of the boards
- Another crucial win
The Bad:
- 14 turnovers
With 1 game to go in the season it all comes down to this. One of the following 3 scenarios will happen on Wednesday night:
1) The Lakers can get the No. 7 seed (and No. 2 SAS) by beating Houston on Wednesday.
2) If the Lakers lose to Houston and Utah beats Memphis, L.A. would be out of the playoffs, Utah the 8 seed.
3) If Utah loses to Memphis and LAL lose to Houston, LAL would be the 8 seed and play OKC.
So stay tuned Laker fans. Just 1 more to go...GO LAKERS!!!
Friday, April 12, 2013
Lakers vs Warriors (4/12/13)
"M-V-P!!! M-V-P!!! M-V-P!!!" The chants arose from Staples center as Kobe Bryant approached the free throw line. He had just hyper extended his left knee. Refusing to be taken out of the game, he took his shots. Later in the game he took another spill, coming up gimpy. He got up and walked around gingerly with a strain on his face. Again he approached the line and shot his free throws. Later still, with 3 minutes left in the game, Kobe went to attack from the 3 point line. As he planted his foot, he fell and a whistle was blown. He had injured his Achilles tendon (believed to be torn, an MRI is scheduled for tomorrow). Again, Kobe Bryant approached the free throw line. He tied the game with his 2 free throws. The regular season MVP this year may go to a guy down in South Beach, but there is no question who has been the MVP of this team. Every game he gives everything he has. His team returned the favor. They fought hard and pulled out the 118-116 win over the Warriors in one of the craziest games I've ever seen.
This game was immensely important for both teams. The Warriors were trying to move up in the seeding to avoid San Antonio, and the Lakers were fighting off Utah to just make it in the post season. Both teams started off red hot shooting 75% from the field. From the Lakers end, they were dominating inside with Pau and Dwight. Post isolations for Pau, and high-low lobs for Dwight led to a lot of high percentage looks. From the Warriors end Stephen Curry was on another level. He was shooting 3s, floaters, and mid range shot like it was practice. Not a scrimmage either, I mean like a shooting drill. Dude had 22 points in the first quarter alone and torched the Lakers mercilessly. Any time the Lakers went under a screen he pulled up and drained the jumper. It really was incredible.
Not to be outdone, Kobe got cooking in the second quarter. He scored 7 straight to keep the Lakers within reach. At half time the score was even at 57 all. To start the 3rd the Warriors started using a lethal combo of high screen/rolls with their two sharp shooters Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry. This is incredibly difficult to guard because both players can shoot at a high clip, and they can handle the ball well. If the Lakers switched on the screen the Warriors milked Thompson (6'6") shooting over Blake (6'2"), if they went over or under the screen the Curry went to work. The Warriors milked this combo to death. And when they finally went away from it, David Lee went to work and scored 6 points in a row. Meanwhile the Lakers kept pounding it in to Dwight and Pau leaving the Warriors no choice but to foul away. As mentioned earlier Kobe was playing through injury the entire time. He hit jumpers, got fouled going to the basket, and set up his teammates. Yet the Lakers found themselves down by 9 with 6 minutes to go. They got a triple from Blake and then consecutive triples from Kobe to tie the game. After a Jarrett Jack layup, Kobe tried to drive and that's when the Achilles injury happened. The Lakers had to intentionally foul so that Kobe could leave the game. It was a heart breaking sight for Lakers and basketball fans everywhere.
Offensively the Spaniard took over for the Lakers with Bryant unable to play. He got a lefty hook to fall on one possession, and then Blake found Howard for a dunk on another. The Lakers held on for the win despite a full court heave that nearly went in for Stephen Curry.
Notables:
The Good:
- Dwight Howard's free throw shooting was excellent tonight. He really punished the Warriors for all the fouling they do
- Pau stepped up big time. This was 2008-2010 Pau. This was Spanish National team Pau. This was the Spanish Wonder! He had a triple double with 26 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 Assists.
- The Mamba. Nothing much needs to be said. Unbelievable.
The Bad:
- The Lakers were unable to cool off Curry for 90% of this game
- Too many offensive rebounds given up (15 for GSW, only 3 for LAL)
- It is very likely that Kobe is out for the season :'(
The Lakers got the win to keep their playoff hopes alive. It appears they've lost their best player in the process. After the game Dwight was asked how the Lakers would have to adjust without Kobe. He responded by saying, "Defense." It's so true. The Lakers are going to have to play as one unit without the Mamba on the floor. Their margin for error got a lot smaller, just when you thought it couldn't. If they ever needed a rallying point this would be it. They have 2 games to go before they end the season. If they play together, with effort and intensity they can do it. They can shock the world.
Get better Mamba. Our prayers are definitely out to you. We know you'll be back...GO LAKERS!!!
This game was immensely important for both teams. The Warriors were trying to move up in the seeding to avoid San Antonio, and the Lakers were fighting off Utah to just make it in the post season. Both teams started off red hot shooting 75% from the field. From the Lakers end, they were dominating inside with Pau and Dwight. Post isolations for Pau, and high-low lobs for Dwight led to a lot of high percentage looks. From the Warriors end Stephen Curry was on another level. He was shooting 3s, floaters, and mid range shot like it was practice. Not a scrimmage either, I mean like a shooting drill. Dude had 22 points in the first quarter alone and torched the Lakers mercilessly. Any time the Lakers went under a screen he pulled up and drained the jumper. It really was incredible.
Not to be outdone, Kobe got cooking in the second quarter. He scored 7 straight to keep the Lakers within reach. At half time the score was even at 57 all. To start the 3rd the Warriors started using a lethal combo of high screen/rolls with their two sharp shooters Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry. This is incredibly difficult to guard because both players can shoot at a high clip, and they can handle the ball well. If the Lakers switched on the screen the Warriors milked Thompson (6'6") shooting over Blake (6'2"), if they went over or under the screen the Curry went to work. The Warriors milked this combo to death. And when they finally went away from it, David Lee went to work and scored 6 points in a row. Meanwhile the Lakers kept pounding it in to Dwight and Pau leaving the Warriors no choice but to foul away. As mentioned earlier Kobe was playing through injury the entire time. He hit jumpers, got fouled going to the basket, and set up his teammates. Yet the Lakers found themselves down by 9 with 6 minutes to go. They got a triple from Blake and then consecutive triples from Kobe to tie the game. After a Jarrett Jack layup, Kobe tried to drive and that's when the Achilles injury happened. The Lakers had to intentionally foul so that Kobe could leave the game. It was a heart breaking sight for Lakers and basketball fans everywhere.
Offensively the Spaniard took over for the Lakers with Bryant unable to play. He got a lefty hook to fall on one possession, and then Blake found Howard for a dunk on another. The Lakers held on for the win despite a full court heave that nearly went in for Stephen Curry.
Notables:
The Good:
- Dwight Howard's free throw shooting was excellent tonight. He really punished the Warriors for all the fouling they do
- Pau stepped up big time. This was 2008-2010 Pau. This was Spanish National team Pau. This was the Spanish Wonder! He had a triple double with 26 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 Assists.
- The Mamba. Nothing much needs to be said. Unbelievable.
The Bad:
- The Lakers were unable to cool off Curry for 90% of this game
- Too many offensive rebounds given up (15 for GSW, only 3 for LAL)
- It is very likely that Kobe is out for the season :'(
The Lakers got the win to keep their playoff hopes alive. It appears they've lost their best player in the process. After the game Dwight was asked how the Lakers would have to adjust without Kobe. He responded by saying, "Defense." It's so true. The Lakers are going to have to play as one unit without the Mamba on the floor. Their margin for error got a lot smaller, just when you thought it couldn't. If they ever needed a rallying point this would be it. They have 2 games to go before they end the season. If they play together, with effort and intensity they can do it. They can shock the world.
Get better Mamba. Our prayers are definitely out to you. We know you'll be back...GO LAKERS!!!
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Lakers at Blazers (4/10/13)
There was no question. The Lakers absolutely had to get this one to be in control of their playoff destiny. Behind the Black Mamba/Black Swan duo that led them to two titles and 3 finals appearnaces they got the win, and held off the Blazers 113-106. Check DancingBarry's review at Lakersground:
DancingBarry's Thoughts and Smiley Ratings
If you're not watching Kobe folks, you should be. This guy is special. He played all 48 minutes and put up 47 points (an oppoent record in the Rose Garden) on 52% shooting , 8 boards, 5 assists, 3 steals, 4 blocks, and only 1 turnover. All at age 34. #Vino. The Spaniard would not be denied either. He had 23 points, 7 boards, 9 assists, and 2 blocks. Dwight was no slouch and he chipped in 20 points, 10 boards, 1 assist, and 3 blocks. Steve Blake got some huge offensive rebounds in the clutch, causing Jim Rome to tweet that he was Rodman LOL.
The Lakers finally swept a back-to-back for the first time this season. The win put them in the driver's seat. They have only 3 games left (as does Utah), however, if they win out they will be the number 8 seed. They control their own destiny. Meet the challenge Lakers!!!
DancingBarry's Thoughts and Smiley Ratings
If you're not watching Kobe folks, you should be. This guy is special. He played all 48 minutes and put up 47 points (an oppoent record in the Rose Garden) on 52% shooting , 8 boards, 5 assists, 3 steals, 4 blocks, and only 1 turnover. All at age 34. #Vino. The Spaniard would not be denied either. He had 23 points, 7 boards, 9 assists, and 2 blocks. Dwight was no slouch and he chipped in 20 points, 10 boards, 1 assist, and 3 blocks. Steve Blake got some huge offensive rebounds in the clutch, causing Jim Rome to tweet that he was Rodman LOL.
The Lakers finally swept a back-to-back for the first time this season. The win put them in the driver's seat. They have only 3 games left (as does Utah), however, if they win out they will be the number 8 seed. They control their own destiny. Meet the challenge Lakers!!!
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Lakers vs Pelicans (4/9/13)
Lakers got the had to have W last night 104-96 over the Pelicans. Kobe an Pau led the way along with an emotional boost from the return of Metta World Beast. He returned after just 12 days, but was expected to be out 4-6 weeks. Check DancingBarry's review:
DancingBarry's Thoughts and Smiley Ratings
For the time being, the Lakers have regained the 8th seed. They'll need another win tonight over the Blazers to maintain that. Portland would love for nothing more than to ruin their chances. The Lakers must be prepared to meet the challenge.
DancingBarry's Thoughts and Smiley Ratings
For the time being, the Lakers have regained the 8th seed. They'll need another win tonight over the Blazers to maintain that. Portland would love for nothing more than to ruin their chances. The Lakers must be prepared to meet the challenge.
Monday, April 8, 2013
Lakers at Clippers (4/8/13)
In a game they needed to control their own destiny, the Lakers fell to the Clippers 95-109. Injuries or not, the Lakers have had problems all season long with the Clippers. They were unable to win the battle of the boards, and couldn't protect the basketball. The result is a gauranteed loss against a team that thrives on fast breaks. Check DancingBarry's review over at Lakersground:
DancingBarry's Thoughts and Smiley Ratings
Utah also won later in the day against Golden State. This means that Lakers will have to win at least 1 MORE game than the Jazz to make the playoffs (the Jazz hold the tie breaker). It's going to be tough, but trust me, no one is feeling sorry for the Lakers. Nash is questionable for Tuesday's game against New Orleans. MWP is most likely out as well.
This tweet from Kobe sums of my feelings on the matter, "#focus #zen #takethechallenge only focus is N.O #beastmode #mambasrep #lakernationstandup"
Gotta take care of business. Go LAKERS!!!
DancingBarry's Thoughts and Smiley Ratings
Utah also won later in the day against Golden State. This means that Lakers will have to win at least 1 MORE game than the Jazz to make the playoffs (the Jazz hold the tie breaker). It's going to be tough, but trust me, no one is feeling sorry for the Lakers. Nash is questionable for Tuesday's game against New Orleans. MWP is most likely out as well.
This tweet from Kobe sums of my feelings on the matter, "
Gotta take care of business. Go LAKERS!!!
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Lakers vs Grizzlies (4/5/13)
With their playoff lives in the balance, the Lakers had to scratch and claw their way through a battle with the Memphis Grizzlies. They eeked out 86-84 victory to maintain a 0.5 game lead over Utah for the final playoff spot.
Memphis is one of the best defensive teams in the NBA. They hold their opponents to average of 89.8 points per game. So going into the game it was imperative that the Lakers match the Grizzlies on the defensive end of the floor. In the first half the Lakers did a good job of that. They were able to contest shots at the rim, recover to the perimeter, and rebound. On offense they ran a healthy dose of high screen and roll which opened up a ton of 15 footers for Pau who knocked them down with regularity. The missed some bunny shots though, and went to the break at half time with a 7 point lead despite being up by as many as 13.
In the second half, Memphis got their licks in on D. They intercepted several bad passes from the Lakers to convert them to points, and even opened up a 5 point lead of their own. Steve Blake was the culprit in several of those turnovers. He seemed to be getting down on himself for making obvious mistakes. Grizzlies guard Mike Conley went right at him on O, seemingly scoring at will. Credit Blake though for keeping his head in the game and drilling two crucial 3's (both of which came when the Lakers down and gave them the lead). Basketball is so much about confidence. You play better when you're confident, so it was nice to see Blake shake off the mistakes and keep moving.
This game came down to the wire. With the Lakers up by 1, Dwight Howard was sent to the free throw line on a loose ball foul from Zach Randolph. Staples Center collectively held their breath in anticipation. He made 1 of 2 leaving the Lakers with a 2 point lead about 4 seconds on the clock. As maligned as their defense has been, it would come down to a final stop to secure the victory. Out of the timeout Conley tried to score on a drive to the hoop. He was met with the resistance of Howard and Gasol who altered his shot and forced the miss. Lakers win, and live to fight another day.
Notables:
The Good:
- Earl Clark was everywhere again tonight. Bringing tons of energy with his put back dunks and dunk-stuffing blocks. His hustle was key.
- Gasol was great with 19 points and 9 rebounds. After the game Kobe said they are finally, "Using him the right way."
- Kobe did a good job balancing facilitator and scorer
- The team got stops when they needed to
The Bad:
- 18 turnovers is too much. With so many of them being forced bad passes it makes it worse. Those should be correctable however.
- Foul trouble for Dwight in the second half
- Still too many miscues on defensive assignments, but at least the effort was there
The Lakers had to win to maintain their playoff spot. From this point on they've got to match whatever Utah does at a minimum since Utah owns the tie breaker. Kobe says he would have it no other way. They'll play the Clippers tomorrow in another crucial game.
Memphis is one of the best defensive teams in the NBA. They hold their opponents to average of 89.8 points per game. So going into the game it was imperative that the Lakers match the Grizzlies on the defensive end of the floor. In the first half the Lakers did a good job of that. They were able to contest shots at the rim, recover to the perimeter, and rebound. On offense they ran a healthy dose of high screen and roll which opened up a ton of 15 footers for Pau who knocked them down with regularity. The missed some bunny shots though, and went to the break at half time with a 7 point lead despite being up by as many as 13.
In the second half, Memphis got their licks in on D. They intercepted several bad passes from the Lakers to convert them to points, and even opened up a 5 point lead of their own. Steve Blake was the culprit in several of those turnovers. He seemed to be getting down on himself for making obvious mistakes. Grizzlies guard Mike Conley went right at him on O, seemingly scoring at will. Credit Blake though for keeping his head in the game and drilling two crucial 3's (both of which came when the Lakers down and gave them the lead). Basketball is so much about confidence. You play better when you're confident, so it was nice to see Blake shake off the mistakes and keep moving.
This game came down to the wire. With the Lakers up by 1, Dwight Howard was sent to the free throw line on a loose ball foul from Zach Randolph. Staples Center collectively held their breath in anticipation. He made 1 of 2 leaving the Lakers with a 2 point lead about 4 seconds on the clock. As maligned as their defense has been, it would come down to a final stop to secure the victory. Out of the timeout Conley tried to score on a drive to the hoop. He was met with the resistance of Howard and Gasol who altered his shot and forced the miss. Lakers win, and live to fight another day.
Notables:
The Good:
- Earl Clark was everywhere again tonight. Bringing tons of energy with his put back dunks and dunk-stuffing blocks. His hustle was key.
- Gasol was great with 19 points and 9 rebounds. After the game Kobe said they are finally, "Using him the right way."
- Kobe did a good job balancing facilitator and scorer
- The team got stops when they needed to
The Bad:
- 18 turnovers is too much. With so many of them being forced bad passes it makes it worse. Those should be correctable however.
- Foul trouble for Dwight in the second half
- Still too many miscues on defensive assignments, but at least the effort was there
The Lakers had to win to maintain their playoff spot. From this point on they've got to match whatever Utah does at a minimum since Utah owns the tie breaker. Kobe says he would have it no other way. They'll play the Clippers tomorrow in another crucial game.
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Lakers vs Mavericks (4/2/13)
Shaq's jersey retirement? Check. Huge game with playoff race implications? Check. All the pressure in the world. This was a game with the classic Hollywood drama story lines, and the Lakers responded with 101-81 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.
The Lakers didn't wait to get going in this one. They jumped on the Mavs early and opened up a 15 point lead by halftime. They did so by going in to Dwight early and often. They got him looks off of screen/rolls, post isolations, and put backs. The defense was great too. Rotations were quick when Dwight stepped over to stop dribble penetration. This was key to shutting down Dallas' offense, and thus they were limited to just isolation opportunities.
When Dallas did isolate Dirk, Earl Clark gave him fits. Over the last 3 games Nowitzki had been averaging 29 points on 62% shooting. Not tonight. He was held to shooting 4 for 13 and only scored 11 points. Earl made him work for everything he got. Clark wound up with 5 blocks on the night. I think Dirk will be seeing Earl in his nightmares. Pau also guarded Dirk extremely well. Both players did exactly what you should do defensively against him: stay in his grill and contest his shots without fouling.
The Lakers 15 point lead at halftime was cut to 5 points late in 3rd when their offense got stagnant, and turnovers compounded the issue. Uncle Earl went to work again. He got fouled on an and-1 drive to the hoop. He missed the free throw, but Pau tipped the rebound out to Kobe to swung it to Clark for the 3 ball. The Lakers got a stop and then Earl dished it to Jamison for the layup to cap a 7-0 run which put the Lakers in control for good. Dallas did make another run though in the 4th. They were down 10 with what was seemingly going to be an easy dunk for their center Brandon Wright. That's when the Mamba erased Dallas' momentum with a timely block. Dallas then tried the Hack-a-Howard technique to get back in the game. It back fired big time as Dwight wound up hitting 5 free throws in a row during the stretch.
The Lakers annihilated Dallas on the boards 57-37. That was the game right there.
Notables:
The Good:
- The defense. It was active and executed well.
- Earl Clark with 17 points, 12 boards, and 5 blocks
- Vino with a triple double. 23 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists
- Dwight & Pau controlled the middle with a combine 38 points, 22 rebounds, and 7 assists
- Blake and Meeks combined to shoot 42% from 3
The Bad:
- Need to cut down on turnovers
- Can't have those droughts where the offense gets stagnant
Shaq's jersey retirement was special. From hearing chants of "We want Phil!" to Shaq's classic "Can youuuu dig iiiiitttttt??!!!", it was fun to relive the memories of the 3-peat Lakers. One fan described the atmosphere as electric. The Lakers will need more of that over the final 7 games as the battle the Jazz for the final playoff spot. They play Memphis at Staples on Friday.
The Lakers didn't wait to get going in this one. They jumped on the Mavs early and opened up a 15 point lead by halftime. They did so by going in to Dwight early and often. They got him looks off of screen/rolls, post isolations, and put backs. The defense was great too. Rotations were quick when Dwight stepped over to stop dribble penetration. This was key to shutting down Dallas' offense, and thus they were limited to just isolation opportunities.
When Dallas did isolate Dirk, Earl Clark gave him fits. Over the last 3 games Nowitzki had been averaging 29 points on 62% shooting. Not tonight. He was held to shooting 4 for 13 and only scored 11 points. Earl made him work for everything he got. Clark wound up with 5 blocks on the night. I think Dirk will be seeing Earl in his nightmares. Pau also guarded Dirk extremely well. Both players did exactly what you should do defensively against him: stay in his grill and contest his shots without fouling.
The Lakers 15 point lead at halftime was cut to 5 points late in 3rd when their offense got stagnant, and turnovers compounded the issue. Uncle Earl went to work again. He got fouled on an and-1 drive to the hoop. He missed the free throw, but Pau tipped the rebound out to Kobe to swung it to Clark for the 3 ball. The Lakers got a stop and then Earl dished it to Jamison for the layup to cap a 7-0 run which put the Lakers in control for good. Dallas did make another run though in the 4th. They were down 10 with what was seemingly going to be an easy dunk for their center Brandon Wright. That's when the Mamba erased Dallas' momentum with a timely block. Dallas then tried the Hack-a-Howard technique to get back in the game. It back fired big time as Dwight wound up hitting 5 free throws in a row during the stretch.
The Lakers annihilated Dallas on the boards 57-37. That was the game right there.
Notables:
The Good:
- The defense. It was active and executed well.
- Earl Clark with 17 points, 12 boards, and 5 blocks
- Vino with a triple double. 23 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists
- Dwight & Pau controlled the middle with a combine 38 points, 22 rebounds, and 7 assists
- Blake and Meeks combined to shoot 42% from 3
The Bad:
- Need to cut down on turnovers
- Can't have those droughts where the offense gets stagnant
Shaq's jersey retirement was special. From hearing chants of "We want Phil!" to Shaq's classic "Can youuuu dig iiiiitttttt??!!!", it was fun to relive the memories of the 3-peat Lakers. One fan described the atmosphere as electric. The Lakers will need more of that over the final 7 games as the battle the Jazz for the final playoff spot. They play Memphis at Staples on Friday.
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