Hope Drew would just stay in LA, strange thing happens when he's around the Memphis Grizzs, one of the players will probably dive after a loose ball and take out his knee over at the bench. _________________ Ringo "You retired too?"
Doc "Not me, I'm in my prime."
Joined: 14 Apr 2001 Posts: 144539 Location: The Gold Coast
Posted: Sun Nov 28, 2010 10:57 pm Post subject:
I am confident they won't lose 4 in a row. If they do with this easy schedule, then they have much deeper problems than Bynum rehabbing. _________________ RIP mom. 11-21-1933 to 6-14-2023.
Joined: 12 Nov 2010 Posts: 566 Location: Carbon Canyon,CA
Posted: Mon Nov 29, 2010 2:29 pm Post subject:
Quote:
Memphis is at least above .500 at home, whereas Houston hasn't been terribly successful in any locale, and Sacramento is in the midst of an extreme tailspin (1-9 in the last 10 games). Beyond the ability to challenge inside FedExForum, the Griz have been consistently competitive in defeat. Of their ten losses this season, six came by six points or fewer. Throw it all together and Memphis may be outmatched on paper against the Lake Show, but not incapable of providing fits.
There are the usual plot lines to monitor. Los hermanos Gasol going mano y' mano, a showdown historically causing familial conflict-of-interest for Pau. (Outplaying his sib in early November was a theoretical sign of a mental block being conquered.) The Southpaw battle between Lamar Odom and Zach Randolph. A bruised tailbone prevented Z.Bo from participating in the Lakers' November win, but the game changes dramatically with the All-Star power forward in the fold. Randolph is draining nearly 51 percent of his shots (16.8 ppg) while pulling down 11.3 rebounds a night. Four offensive boards per game are especially impressive, so the Lakers must remain conscious of boxing out.
Moreover, there's the new wrinkle in O.J. Mayo's recent shift to the bench, a lineup switch also intriguing Phil Jackson when I broached the subject with him before the Indiana game. During the last meeting between these squads, Randolph's absence thrust Arthur into the first five, further accentuating Memphis' lack of second unit scoring punch. With Mayo as a 6th man, the Laker reserves now must account for a potentially explosive option, albeit one struggling with his shot. The baller USC refuses to acknowledge put up 23 off the pine Friday against the Warriors and represents a handful for Shannon Brown, the Laker jumping to PJ's mind as Mayo's primary defender.
In the meantime, Laker fans will be deprived of the familiar sight of Kobe Bryant attacking -- destroying, to be blunt -- Mayo on defense. Guarding 24 in the post had been especially brutal for O.J., and P.J. noted how this offensive-defensive matchup had been specifically utilized to "take [Mayo's] game away from him by that process." Rookie Xavier Henry now starts, and the kid's superior size (6-6, 220) isn't lost on Jackson. Backing down Henry could be a tougher proposition for Kobe.
Then again, it could be cake. Jackson doesn't really have a solid bead on the Kansas product as a defender, and in all likelihood, there's an element of surprise still in play for Memphis as well.
"They're still not in sync yet with that lineup," explained Jackson.
Finally, Henry is largely anonymous to the casual NBA fan, the kind of player Kobe often decides isn't worthy of his respect and attention. This assessment has a strange habit of giving C-Listers their 15 minutes of fame. Something to keep an eye on.
This is going to be a tough one. Lakers have lost the rebounding battle the last 3 games. We don't match up well against Memphis. Zach Randolph always has monster games against us. We were lucky he didn't play last game. Marc Gasol holds his own against Pau. Artest will have a hard time guarding Rudy Gay. _________________ Nobody in the NBA can touch the Laker brand, which, like the uniform color, is pure gold.
With Randolph in the rotation (don't believe he played the game @ Staples last month) it doesn't seem like it'll be much of a shock to see the Lakers get outrebounded again. Seeing the hustle plays go the other way (like we saw with Indiana and in Utah) obviously makes winning a lot more challenging, but hopefully the Killer B's will do their thing to give LA an edge.
Game worries me a plenty!!! the way Pau has been playing and Z-bo is back!!!! Ouch... the Grizz have a swag going on after beating Miami, just as the Pacers did. Lets hope Lakers get mad and take charge early so the starters can rest.. And get the W of cause.. _________________ New Beginings
Joined: 08 May 2002 Posts: 1120 Location: Los Angeles
Posted: Tue Nov 30, 2010 4:20 pm Post subject:
Really feeling a nice bounce back game from the Lakers. The key in this one will be putting and keeping a body on Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph. Can’t let them control the glass. Do that, and make some shots for a change and the team will be able to line-dance all the way to Houston. I’m predicting Artest hits 4+ three’s in this one. Yes, that’s going out on a limb.
Match-ups to exploit– Kobe on either Xavier Henry or O.J. Mayo. Henry looked completely lost in the first game in Los Angeles. Mayo is just too short.
Also, really feel the second unit should be able to get in and play well tonight. Look for Blake and Brown to get some good clean looks from the perimeter….
Joined: 05 Mar 2010 Posts: 8383 Location: La Cité des Anges
Posted: Tue Nov 30, 2010 4:34 pm Post subject:
If Lakers don't come out and take charge in the first quarter, they'll lose this game. If they are tied with Memphis in second half it's a LOSS, book it.
I don't trust them to close out games. _________________ Winning recipe: Effort, Intensity, Focus, Composure, Patience, Execution, Attention to detail, Discipline & Persistence
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GO LAKERS!!! 
Thats whats gonna happen to you!!
lakers need a good losing streak to stop acting liek scrubs
