RAPTORS -at- LAKERS - 11/17 - Thoughts and :-)) ratings
Goto page 1, 2  Next
 
Post new topic    LakersGround.net Forum Index -> Thoughts and Ratings Reply to topic
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
DancingBarry
Editor-in-Chief
Editor-in-Chief


Joined: 07 Sep 2001
Posts: 40188
Location: O.C.

PostPosted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 12:41 am    Post subject: RAPTORS -at- LAKERS - 11/17 - Thoughts and :-)) ratings

Win Ugly... This was the kind of game last year the Lakers probably would have lost down the stretch. With four days off, the Lakers looked a little rusty and sluggish at times in the 107-100 win over the Raptors. The Lakers scrapped and hustled in the last two minutes and secured the closely fought contest.

The Raptors had 21 losses last year and the worst winning percentage (.447) when scoring 100 or more points. That's where bad D will get you...that and the first pick in the draft. Their goal this season was to push the tempo like the Suns in order to try to outscore you. Both teams scored 8 points on the break tonight, and the Lakers shot 54.8 percent for the game.

The Lakers weathered a passive game from Lamar. Kobe had a near triple-double and both Smush and Farmar stepped up their play at the PG spot.


Kobe -- -- Kobe was 3 assists and 4 turnovers from a quadruple-double. He finished with 31 points on 10-19 shooting, 11 rebounds, 7 assists and 6 turnovers in 40 minutes -- all numbers that were team highs. He looked much more fluid with his moves and had a bit more hang time, which was evident on multiple shots. Defensively, he's still a step slow. Offensively, he again had a number of turnovers (a few of which were the kind that weren't called last year, just an adjustment he's going to have to make). "It's a work in progress," Kobe said in the Times. "We are trying to build our offense, but the turnovers aren't anywhere where we want them." Early on, he found Smush in transition for a layup. He connected with Drew for a back-screen alley-oop out of the Tri. He attacked in transition, lost the ball, got it back and banked at the front of the rim. He had four turnovers early: a bad pass that was deflected, a travel when he slipped, a carry, and another travel off a jumpstep type move. He drew FTs, splitting a double team and made both. Kobe lost the ball in the corner, stole it back, then fed Lamar for throwdown. He attacked the lane, hung in the air, double clutched and hit short jumper. He missed a three, shooting over the zone. He attacked off a kickout and hit a baseline jumper. He attacked from the top of the key, sliced through the D, got pushed in the back with no call and scored a layup. He attacked along the baseline, hung, stretched and then spun back in a reverse layup before landing. He had 14 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists in the first half. He hit a jumper straight away. He drew contact, threw up the ball, got FTs and made both. He found Luke under the hoop for a layup. He attacked Bosh, drew FTs and made one. He hit a runner from about 10 feet to the left of the basket. He attacked off the dribble, got hit on his right knee and tried to walk it off, he made both FTs. He sank and elbow jumper out of a timeout. With two minutes left, he faced up, spun in the paint, double clutched in the air and hit a 5-footer with his left (only Kobe makes that look easy). He drained two clutch FTs with 18 seconds left to keep the lead at 5 points. He hit two more FTs 6 seconds later to tie the record for most points in consecutive games against the same team (112). Kobe in the Daily News on how his knee compares to last year: "I'm stronger now than I was then because my knee at night was bothering me," he said. "I started out the game going to the basket kind of gingerly, shooting jump shots, then my knee started warming up a little bit.
That's how it was for me last season. It took me awhile to get going because of my knee. Now I don't have that problem. When I come out, I feel good. I'm strong right from the top. Now it's just about getting that rhythm back."

Odom -- -- Lamar scored 10 points on just 4-8 shooting and 2-2 from the line in 36 minutes. He grabbed only 5 boards and had just 1 assist. Not the kind of numbers you want to see and all the signs of a passive Lamar game. We certainly did a poor job of getting him touches down low and he generally seemed out of rhythm offensively. "We wanted to get the ball in the post to him more often than we did," Phil said afterwards. When he did get it there, he generally caused problems. Lamar scored a layup on the break to open the Lakers scoring. He knocked a poor entry pass to Bosh loose for a turnover. He threwdown a huge dunk off a Kobe no-looker. He drew two quick fouls in the second quarter and had to sit. He had 4 points on 2-4 shooting in the first half. He posted up with good position on the right block and drew a foul on Bosh trying to hit a jumphook over him, he made the FTs. He easily cleaned up a miss by Bynum who drew a crowd and airballed. He got the ball in the low post, worked to his left and dropped a jumphook over the front of the rim. He got picked from behind attacking, but not within the offense. He blocked a shot with some nice help D. Great hustle along the sideline to rip a loose ball from Bosh in the closing minute.

Smush -- -- Smush put together his best game on both ends of the court this season. He did go cold in the second half, but he still was effective on the other end of the court. The Lakers, defensively, wanted to make Ford a perimeter shooter, which means going under screens. Smush also seemed to have a green light later in the game to float off Ford and try to cause problems for others. He had a couple of sketchy moments doing that, but the Raptors didn't seem to take advantage. Smush scored 11 points on 5-11 shooting, had 3 boards, 3 assist and 1 steal (but he was more disruptive than that). Good look on his first make, a wing jumper off a kickout from Luke in the post. He filled the lane on the break and spun in a layup. Nice D, poking a ball free to ignite a break. He sank a wing jumper off the pinch post. He popped out on the weakside all alone and swished a wing three. He hit Cook in stride for a layup in transition. Feeling it, he hit a baseline jumper over his man. Good first half for Smush with 11 points on 5-6 shooting and some excellent D. Nice strip and save, but we couldn't recover the ball, Ford then blew past Smush shortly later for a layup. He drew a moving screen foul the next time down. He went under the screen against a shooter after Ford left, and gave up an open three. For the most part, Ford's speed was negated quite well throughout the game.

Bynum -- -- The Lakers made a point of working on the pick and roll D with Bynum during the off days, and they made a point of it with him tonight. Drew got benched shortly in the second half and Rambis talked to him at length about it. He later returned, but I like the way the Lakers are bringing him along. Teach him the right way to play the game now before bad habits set in. And props to Bynum because he appears to be a very good student. He played 22 minutes tonight, scored 7 points on 2-6 shooting, grabbed 5 boards and had just 1 foul. He made 3-4 FTs tonight and is shooting 78 percent from the line so far this season, looking very confident on his stroke. Great up and under move on the first touch of the game to lose his man, but he back rimmed the layup. Nice post drop off to Lamar, but LO missed the layup. He picked up a back screen from Luke on the weakside, cut and threw down the alley-oop pass from Kobe (nice, I want to see more). He swished a turnaround jumper to beat the shotclock (he always seems very aware of the clock). He missed a short jumphook off the glass. He drop stepped, then missed a left handed hook. After getting benched early, he returned in the second half. He drew FTs on back-to-back possessions and made three of four. He was quadruple-teamed in the post and threw up an airball that Lamar cleaned up for a score.

Walton -- 8) -- Seemed like an average game from Luke, which is nice when he's giving you 12 points and 4 assists. He shot 4-7 from the floor and 4-7 from the line. (He's shooting 58 percent from the line and 70 percent from three so far this season.) He attacked from the wing, drew the whistle and scored the And-1 layup, he missed the FT. He posted up Parker, spun to his right and drew FTs, he made one. Wow, weak foul going straight up to defend a lob pass and Bosh comes over his back and somehow draws FTs (the refs were generally poor). He attacked the baseline off a ball reversal and made a reverse. He drew more FTs and made one. He had 6 points and 3 assists in the first half. As the defense started to lock in on Kobe, Luke made a strong cut under the hoop, took a feed from Kobe, used his body well against Bosh and finished with his left. He attacked off the dribble and drew two FTs, making both clutch ones with 2:46 left.

Kwame -- -- Just having him on the floor helps solidify the D. Kwame did have some sloppy defensive sequences where guards caught him off guard or he didn't contest, but he was still banging bodies and hitting the boards. He kept a couple of key possessions alive for the Lakers late in the game. He finished with 8 points on 3-5 shooting, 7 boards and 1 block in 20 minutes. Good numbers for that amount of time, except for the free throw shooting where he went 2-6. Thankfully, he made at least two of his four FTs down the stretch. He drew fouls twice trying to post up. He let Farmar's man score an easy layup, not staying with him through the lane. Next time they ran that, Kwame flushed him back through the other side of the D where Farmar could continue defending. He threw a bad pass out of the post for a turnover. He missed badly on a post up attempt. He had an easy one, missed it, got it back and scored an And-1 at the rim. Good hustle on the offensive glass to cause enough problems for the Raptors that they couldn't secure it and we got a possession with 2 minutes left. He back-rimmed an And-1 layup with just over a minute left, he made one FT. He pulled down an offensive board with 28 seconds left and was fouled, he made one to give the Lakers a 5-point lead.

Radmanovic -- -- Pretty good minutes from Vlad tonight. We saw him out there with Bynum briefly, but with no purpose. We also, unfortunately, saw him out there as a big with Cook. Vlad still did well with his 11 minutes, scoring 8 points on 3-3 shooting (not taking a three), getting a couple offensive boards, an assist and a steal. Nice defensive stand, showing and recovering on the screen-roll, then tying up his man for a jumpball, which he won. He faked the three, attacked off the dribble, went up strong to power one in against Bosh, got it to drop with a call, and he made the FT. As the Lakers cycled through their offense again, Vlad flashed from the weakside off a standard Tri screen and hit the open 10-footer straight away (that shot is there a lot for him if they put him in that position). He tipped in an offensive board over Parker.

Evans -- -- Evans scored 4 points on 2-4 shooting in 18 minutes. He was called for a carry for a turnover. His man blew past him for a dunk. Evans attacked, missed and popped back up quickly to tip it back in. Farmar set him up all alone under the hoop for a dunk. He missed a pull-up wing jumper. He biffed a weave cut at the end of the third that left Smush scrambling to create something in the lane.

Cook -- -- Once again, he was stuck in at the C spot with Vlad for a stretch. Can't really blame Cook for sucking at that, just a bad situation for him and the team defensively. Cook scored 6 points on 3-6 shooting, grabbed 4 boards and had 1 assist and 2 fouls in 11 minutes. He was called for a travel on his first touch. He faked a jumper, stepped in and sank a shorter one on the baseline. On a sequence of passes after a rebound, the ball never hit the ground and we found Cook running down court for a layup. He hit a face up wing jumper. He missed an open baseline jumper. He couldn't control the paint to start the fourth as the C.

Farmar -- -- He seemed to spark a sluggish team to life midway through the fourth quarter with a couple of scores. Some excellent numbers from Jordan on limited minutes. He scored 7 points on 3-3 shooting (1-1 from three), grabbed 2 boards, dished 4 assists with just 1 turnover and had no fouls in 14 minutes. He swished a wing catch and shoot on his first attempt. Some good pick and roll D recovering to his man several times to shut it down, twice forcing a pass instead of a shot as he contested the shot (that's his hops coming into play). He sliced through the D in early offense and set up Kwame for an uncontested layup. Great attack in transition off the dribble with speed, drawing a crowd of defenders then leaving it for Evans for an uncontested dunk. He gave up penetration and layup and Phil called timeout and put Smush in. He got caught in the air on a pass and turned it over. In a key stretch mentioned above, he drained a big wing three with 7:50 left in the fourth. Next time down, he crossed over his man between his legs, attacked to his right and banked a hook over Rasho. Big plays.

Vujacic -- -- As soon as he got in the game, he quickly gave up a soft And-1 to his man. He then quickly got it back on the other end with a hurried three from the top of the key. He sat shortly later. Just 3 minutes, 3 points and 2 fouls.

Phil -- -- The Lakers had 7 turnovers in the first quarter, many by Kobe. Phil said Kobe was forcing too many passes or trying to create too much instead of running the offense as much he would like to see... Toronto ran zone only a couple of times in the first half and the Lakers seemed ready to attack... The Lakers shot 68 percent in the first half to Toronto's 46 percent. They sent Toronto to the line 22 times, however, and led only 61-53... With Bosh picking up his fourth foul late in the third, Phil went with a Bynum, Odom, Walton, Evans, Smush lineup. He had subbed Bynum out early in the quarter and brought him back in for Kwame late. Lamar had been fairly passive and now would be in a position to get more aggressive. LO remained passive... Phil went to the much dreaded Cook/Radmanovic bigman combo and we quickly started the fourth quarter giving up second-chance points, fouls and layups... Farmar got the Lakers going in the fourth and Phil sat him down shortly later. He wanted Smush to match up with Ford... The Lakers had 19 turnovers and 23 points, again, off of turnovers in the game... "Our perimeter defense and our defensive ability is going to be limited until Kobe's 100% and until Smush [Parker] gets back that edge that he had as a stealer and as a disrupter defensively that he carried last year," Phil said in the Times. "That made us a much better team and gave us a chance to do things at the defensive end to disrupt teams, and we haven't established that yet."...With that in mind, can we please not see any more Cook at center? Weak on the perimeter and weak in the paint just won't cut it...


Last edited by DancingBarry on Sat Nov 18, 2006 1:13 am; edited 1 time in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
Mr. LakeShow
Star Player
Star Player


Joined: 02 Nov 2006
Posts: 1117

PostPosted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 12:42 am    Post subject:

DB... you bought up the fact we win ugly and we probably wouldn't have win this game last year and i agree completely.

winning ugly games is part of being a good team and thats what we are.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
wolfpaclaker
Retired Number
Retired Number


Joined: 29 May 2002
Posts: 58318

PostPosted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 12:47 am    Post subject:

Quote:
With that in mind, can we please not see any more Cook at center? Weak on the perimeter and weak in the paint just won't cut it...

Can I get an Amen?

Kobe back to 100%.
Bynum/Turiaf/Kwame at Center.
Parker getting more active.

Believe it or not - I think this team misses Sasha's fullcourt pressure D. None of the guards right now are really consistently applying that pressure. I wish some of them would ... Sasha had some games last year when he really helped doing that.

Would like Jordan to do the same.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website Reply with quote
DancingBarry
Editor-in-Chief
Editor-in-Chief


Joined: 07 Sep 2001
Posts: 40188
Location: O.C.

PostPosted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 12:49 am    Post subject:

Mr. LakeShow - I didn't like the energy at times, but in the last couple minutes they were scrapping for loose balls, hustling, and hitting the offensive glass. They were also defending the three. So, a little smart play, some hustle to close out the game. Kobe hitting his FTs to shut the door.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
cmonkee
Star Player
Star Player


Joined: 01 Mar 2004
Posts: 5301
Location: Redondo Beach

PostPosted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 12:54 am    Post subject:

DB - Kobe was 3 assists from a triple double
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
Mr. LakeShow
Star Player
Star Player


Joined: 02 Nov 2006
Posts: 1117

PostPosted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 1:03 am    Post subject:

DancingBarry wrote:

Mr. LakeShow - I didn't like the energy at times, but in the last couple minutes they were scrapping for loose balls, hustling, and hitting the offensive glass. They were also defending the three. So, a little smart play, some hustle to close out the game. Kobe hitting his FTs to shut the door.


The energy was none-existent until the last 4 minutes of the game. i think the long lay-off had something to do with the energy tonight and thats a excuse but its a good one.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
DancingBarry
Editor-in-Chief
Editor-in-Chief


Joined: 07 Sep 2001
Posts: 40188
Location: O.C.

PostPosted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 1:14 am    Post subject:

cmonkee wrote:
DB - Kobe was 3 assists from a triple double


Thank you
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
A Mad Chinaman
Star Player
Star Player


Joined: 07 Apr 2005
Posts: 6121

PostPosted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 1:45 am    Post subject:

DB - As always, a thorough analysis of the game.

FYI
It is good that the Lakers are winning the "Ugly Games"

It's great that a "normal" game for Luke is apx. 12 points & 4 rebounds - along with all the other intangible things that he brings - shows how far Luke has come

Ironic that a game that Smush stayed "into the game" and didn't fall asleep at the wheel is his best game. I guess it is a good start that gave consistent effort. As Phil stated, still waiting for Smush to get that "edge" back" - along with waiting for Kobe to be 100%.

Why do you feel that Phil is using a lineup with Cook at "5" with Vlad at "4" - instead of just rotating Bynum and Kwame? Maybe with Luke at "3" / Evans at "2" / Jordan at "1" - at least there would be other people that can play good "D" - there would be some rhyme or reason.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
Annihilator
Star Player
Star Player


Joined: 02 Jul 2001
Posts: 4035

PostPosted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 4:27 am    Post subject:

The Lakers got 15 points and 12 rebounds from Bynum and Kwame together in roughly 42 minutes. Not bad.


About that ugly win (a quote from Yahoo):

"We had a couple breakdowns," Bosh said. "They just beat us with loose balls in the end. All the hustle plays that you need to make to win the game, they did."
_________________
“When the debate is lost, slander becomes the tool of the loser.”

--Anonymous
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
limchrc
Franchise Player
Franchise Player


Joined: 29 Jun 2005
Posts: 11477

PostPosted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 5:04 am    Post subject:

I'm happy, as long as we win.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
LongtimeLakerLover
Starting Rotation
Starting Rotation


Joined: 08 Jun 2005
Posts: 785
Location: Murrieta, California

PostPosted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 6:42 am    Post subject:

Thanks DB.

No Ronny sighting tonight - any ideas why?
_________________
I love LA........WE LOVE IT!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
Texas_Pete
Franchise Player
Franchise Player


Joined: 23 Jun 2005
Posts: 12822
Location: Somewhere watching a Laker game

PostPosted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 6:53 am    Post subject:

Great recap DB!

Did PJ find any opportunities to play Bynum/Kwame together? Who got the crunch time minutes at center?

Also, Kobe took 19 shots, but he also shot 12 FTs. (Meaning unofficially he probably took more than 19). His shooting % was good, but the next most shots taken was Smush with 11 shots -- with LO only shooting 8. Are we reverting back to watching Kobe play? I guess I am looking to see more balance and admittedly I did not see the game. So I am basing my thoughts on box scores only.

18 TOs is bad, but I'll take the W!!


Last edited by Texas_Pete on Sat Nov 18, 2006 7:01 am; edited 1 time in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
Klone_dd
Star Player
Star Player


Joined: 11 Mar 2002
Posts: 7330

PostPosted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 6:59 am    Post subject:

LongtimeLakerLover wrote:
Thanks DB.

No Ronny sighting tonight - any ideas why?


Injured hip, I think.

Great to see Kobe looking like Kobe again. Lamar looking like Lamar again - well, not so much. We need LO to be constantly attacking. Even tho Kobe had a huge game doesn't mean that he can't as well. At times, it felt like he purposely took a back seat watching Kobe handle the load. LO's across the boards stats were weak in contrast to his normal triple double flirtations.

JoFar was a real spark offensively. Gotta love a kid who's not shy about taking and making big 4th quarter shots.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
Sage_10
Star Player
Star Player


Joined: 24 Dec 2005
Posts: 6668

PostPosted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 7:25 am    Post subject:

Good read, thanks DB.
_________________
"You Must Be Willing To Give Up That Which Can Be Lost In Order To Gain That Which Cannot Be Lost." - FORTUNE COOKIE
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
hoopschick29
Franchise Player
Franchise Player


Joined: 23 Jul 2004
Posts: 12898
Location: Los Angeles

PostPosted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 7:51 am    Post subject:

Once again, props to DB.

On Kobe: Turnovers still an issue. But I think that will get better as the season progresses. Love that he's feeling more comfortable and he's definitely trusting the knee more. The cuts and moves are getting sharper by the game.

On Lamar: Frustrating. The only way the Lakers are gonna be able to maintain the proper spacing and grow the effectiveness of the triangle is if Lamar becomes a consistent offensive threat. He doesn't have to take 20 shots a game, but he damn sure has to take more than 8. He was out there sleepwalking last night. There should never be a game where Smush Parker takes more shots than him. EVER.

On Smush/Jordan: Like or not, this is our primary PG rotation for the forseeable future. Offensively, I thought both did a good job. Jordan has a little 'clutch' in him and he put it on display last night. That's gonna prove to be VERY useful come playoff time when everyone is chasing Kobe around. Defensively, they're both getting slaughtered. The difference that I think Jordan cares and he'll work hard to improve. Smush doesn't seem to care that much, maybe because inspite all the additions we made, his starting job and his minutes are still secure for the time being.
_________________
So glad we gave you your flowers while you were here, Kobe.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
Mike@LG
Moderator
Moderator


Joined: 10 Apr 2001
Posts: 65135
Location: Orange County, CA

PostPosted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 7:55 am    Post subject:

Quote:

No Ronny sighting tonight - any ideas why?


Hip issues. Building Kwame's confidence. Turiaf is a PF not a C.
_________________
Resident Car Nut.

https://lakersdraft.substack.com/

I am not an economic advisor nor do I advise economic strategies or plans.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
Mike@LG
Moderator
Moderator


Joined: 10 Apr 2001
Posts: 65135
Location: Orange County, CA

PostPosted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 7:56 am    Post subject:

btw, I'm glad I didn't put Bargnani on my draft list.
_________________
Resident Car Nut.

https://lakersdraft.substack.com/

I am not an economic advisor nor do I advise economic strategies or plans.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
prisma8slg
Star Player
Star Player


Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 4664
Location: Michigan

PostPosted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 8:01 am    Post subject:

thanks DB.

did anyone else noticed how passive the bench seemed with Ronny sitting behind the bench? and what's up with all these behind the back passes from Kobe.?
_________________
"I define success by championships, by winning..." Kobe Bryant

"I've seen it all. Sasha dunked on somebody," Kobe Bryant said. "I'm ready to retire now."
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
hoopschick29
Franchise Player
Franchise Player


Joined: 23 Jul 2004
Posts: 12898
Location: Los Angeles

PostPosted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 8:22 am    Post subject:

Quote:
Odom and reserve Brian Cook were tardy arriving to the arena, which Jackson duly noted by writing their names and the word late on the greaseboard in the locker room.


http://www.sportsline.com/nba/gamecenter/recap/NBA_20061117_TOR@LAL
_________________
So glad we gave you your flowers while you were here, Kobe.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
Freakout
Franchise Player
Franchise Player


Joined: 12 Apr 2001
Posts: 11796
Location: WV

PostPosted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 8:44 am    Post subject:

hoopschick29 wrote:
Once again, props to DB.

On Kobe: Turnovers still an issue. But I think that will get better as the season progresses. Love that he's feeling more comfortable and he's definitely trusting the knee more. The cuts and moves are getting sharper by the game.

On Lamar: Frustrating. The only way the Lakers are gonna be able to maintain the proper spacing and grow the effectiveness of the triangle is if Lamar becomes a consistent offensive threat. He doesn't have to take 20 shots a game, but he damn sure has to take more than 8. He was out there sleepwalking last night. There should never be a game where Smush Parker takes more shots than him. EVER.

On Smush/Jordan: Like or not, this is our primary PG rotation for the forseeable future. Offensively, I thought both did a good job. Jordan has a little 'clutch' in him and he put it on display last night. That's gonna prove to be VERY useful come playoff time when everyone is chasing Kobe around. Defensively, they're both getting slaughtered. The difference that I think Jordan cares and he'll work hard to improve. Smush doesn't seem to care that much, maybe because inspite all the additions we made, his starting job and his minutes are still secure for the time being.


I saw Smush ignore Lamar 3 different times in the post.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
golakersgo121
Franchise Player
Franchise Player


Joined: 21 Sep 2006
Posts: 11717
Location: 8 miles from Staples Center

PostPosted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 9:33 am    Post subject:

Freakout wrote:
hoopschick29 wrote:
Once again, props to DB.

On Kobe: Turnovers still an issue. But I think that will get better as the season progresses. Love that he's feeling more comfortable and he's definitely trusting the knee more. The cuts and moves are getting sharper by the game.

On Lamar: Frustrating. The only way the Lakers are gonna be able to maintain the proper spacing and grow the effectiveness of the triangle is if Lamar becomes a consistent offensive threat. He doesn't have to take 20 shots a game, but he damn sure has to take more than 8. He was out there sleepwalking last night. There should never be a game where Smush Parker takes more shots than him. EVER.

On Smush/Jordan: Like or not, this is our primary PG rotation for the forseeable future. Offensively, I thought both did a good job. Jordan has a little 'clutch' in him and he put it on display last night. That's gonna prove to be VERY useful come playoff time when everyone is chasing Kobe around. Defensively, they're both getting slaughtered. The difference that I think Jordan cares and he'll work hard to improve. Smush doesn't seem to care that much, maybe because inspite all the additions we made, his starting job and his minutes are still secure for the time being.


I saw Smush ignore Lamar 3 different times in the post.


I noticed that too. Lamar is a team captain. He should have ripped him a new one. Or - be more assertive in demanding the ball. The Raps did the right thing, IMHO: they denied passing lanes while playing mam-to-man mostly. It is very effective against triangle as it cuts off "average contributors" (a-la Luke, Drew and, unfortunately Lamar) and gives a superstar a chance to shine. Simply put: Kobe - beat us. Lamar, first and foremost, should have had a field day based on the matchups. The same with Bynum. But you have to make crisp cuts to get open.

You, guys, have examined this play when Lamar and Kobe crossing their defenders during the cut in pinch post. This play benefits the Lakers EVERY TIME. Why? - Because Kobe is very assertive in this cut. They played the same with Lamar being reciepient - and Lamar popped up for a wide open 3 (he did not make it) instead of cutting to the basket for a layup. Why?

Also, with Kobe and Lamar switching (Lamar being on the wing and Kobe up top), when Lamar is passive (like yesterday) it takes away Luke's cutting, turning him into "perimeter" player.

We have to install on the Lakers bench for Lamar with activating button in my hands to wake him up.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
RG73
Franchise Player
Franchise Player


Joined: 14 Jul 2001
Posts: 11508

PostPosted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 9:58 am    Post subject:

Freakout wrote:
I saw Smush ignore Lamar 3 different times in the post.


That's exactly it. Lamar actually was looking for opportunities to score, but they just weren't getting the ball to him. Phil even said as much. Lamar does need to be more assertive in demanding the ball, but when he's been moved off the ball there is only so much he can do. The lack of assertiveness last night was partly on Lamar, partly on the guards--they need to meet each other half way. Better aggressiveness from Lamar, the offense runs better; if the guards are feeding the post better, Lamar runs better.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
hoopschick29
Franchise Player
Franchise Player


Joined: 23 Jul 2004
Posts: 12898
Location: Los Angeles

PostPosted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 10:03 am    Post subject:

Freakout wrote:
hoopschick29 wrote:
Once again, props to DB.

On Kobe: Turnovers still an issue. But I think that will get better as the season progresses. Love that he's feeling more comfortable and he's definitely trusting the knee more. The cuts and moves are getting sharper by the game.

On Lamar: Frustrating. The only way the Lakers are gonna be able to maintain the proper spacing and grow the effectiveness of the triangle is if Lamar becomes a consistent offensive threat. He doesn't have to take 20 shots a game, but he damn sure has to take more than 8. He was out there sleepwalking last night. There should never be a game where Smush Parker takes more shots than him. EVER.

On Smush/Jordan: Like or not, this is our primary PG rotation for the forseeable future. Offensively, I thought both did a good job. Jordan has a little 'clutch' in him and he put it on display last night. That's gonna prove to be VERY useful come playoff time when everyone is chasing Kobe around. Defensively, they're both getting slaughtered. The difference that I think Jordan cares and he'll work hard to improve. Smush doesn't seem to care that much, maybe because inspite all the additions we made, his starting job and his minutes are still secure for the time being.


I saw Smush ignore Lamar 3 different times in the post.


So now it's Smush' fault Lamar was passive?

Okay.
_________________
So glad we gave you your flowers while you were here, Kobe.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
24KB
Starting Rotation
Starting Rotation


Joined: 10 Sep 2006
Posts: 128

PostPosted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 10:26 am    Post subject:

wtf is up with all this smush ignoring others... so then why doesn't Phil just bench him and play farmar...

great win for the lakers
it was sloppy at times.. but ill take the W!
i live in toronto so i should be chearing for the raptors... but ive always been a lakers fan

Go Lakers!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
Freakout
Franchise Player
Franchise Player


Joined: 12 Apr 2001
Posts: 11796
Location: WV

PostPosted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 11:10 am    Post subject:

hoopschick29 wrote:
Freakout wrote:
hoopschick29 wrote:
Once again, props to DB.

On Kobe: Turnovers still an issue. But I think that will get better as the season progresses. Love that he's feeling more comfortable and he's definitely trusting the knee more. The cuts and moves are getting sharper by the game.

On Lamar: Frustrating. The only way the Lakers are gonna be able to maintain the proper spacing and grow the effectiveness of the triangle is if Lamar becomes a consistent offensive threat. He doesn't have to take 20 shots a game, but he damn sure has to take more than 8. He was out there sleepwalking last night. There should never be a game where Smush Parker takes more shots than him. EVER.

On Smush/Jordan: Like or not, this is our primary PG rotation for the forseeable future. Offensively, I thought both did a good job. Jordan has a little 'clutch' in him and he put it on display last night. That's gonna prove to be VERY useful come playoff time when everyone is chasing Kobe around. Defensively, they're both getting slaughtered. The difference that I think Jordan cares and he'll work hard to improve. Smush doesn't seem to care that much, maybe because inspite all the additions we made, his starting job and his minutes are still secure for the time being.


I saw Smush ignore Lamar 3 different times in the post.


So now it's Smush' fault Lamar was passive?

Okay.


I don't call setting up in the post on the weakside, sticking your hand out calling for the ball only to watch it being swung to the opposite side of the floor being passive. I said so after the first quarter yesterday in the update thread that they wasn't looking for Lamar. It didn't change any during the next three quarters. I don't care who is our second option. You could trade Lamar for KG, Boozer, etc.. it doesn't matter. Their production in this system will heavily depend on their teammates giving them the ball when they are in scoring position. Unless the guy posting up is Kobe then they rarely throw it into the post. They seem content to swing the ball around the perimeter.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic    LakersGround.net Forum Index -> Thoughts and Ratings All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Goto page 1, 2  Next
Page 1 of 2
Jump to:  

 
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum






Graphics by uberzev
© 1995-2018 LakersGround.net. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Use.
LakersGround is an unofficial news source serving the fan community since 1995.
We are in no way associated with the Los Angeles Lakers or the National Basketball Association.


Powered by phpBB