LAKERS -at- WIZARDS - 1/26 - Thoughts and :-)) Ratings

[DancingBarry]

Splendid Hosts... You cautiously tie down the boat on the river's edge and guide your companions to the sounds of laughter. You remember the laughter from the last party you passed by and the burning effigy of the Horsemen. This is different.

Your group wades through a large rectangular pond, then follows a narrow path that snakes through rubble and vines. It's not long before you come across a scene quite at odds with what you were expecting -- a dinner party.

The Horsemen had been eagerly greeted by the locals. They were housed, fed, and now wined and dined. Your hosts escort you to a waiting table where your names are written in gold lettering upon purple card stock. You pick up your card and flip it over. DancingBarry has left you a message:

The Horsemen were here. The Horsemen may be a "One Night Only" show on this trip -- their opponents may lie in wait -- but for one night, this was their town. They were the toast of the capitol.

They faced little resistance. Their opponent had long-since been defeated by their own internal struggles and their own battles of character -- a story this town knows well.

I will continue to track them...

Nothing like a little R&R on the road. DC served it up well with a visit to see the president and an easy 115-103 victory over the Wizards.

Pau and Kobe got the big stats in this game, each scoring 26 points and providing a very balanced offensive attack. Shannon Brown, however, probably stole the show -- not just with three dunks -- but some feisty non-stop effort on the defensive end, as well.

The play of the game wasn't his huge alley-oop jam off the back screen, but his putback throwdown off a missed Bynum freethrow. He charged in from the three line, no one boxed out and he was at the rim hammering it back down before the Wizards knew what happened.

The bench, particularly Lamar and Shannon, were key to the 30-15 second quarter that took control of the game. "Some brilliant type stuff," Phil said of the second quarter.

Fresh off their visit to the White House, the team cruised through the walking implosion that is the Washington Wizards franchise. The Lakers will take the "W" but no doubt the spoils of visiting the president will remind them of what winning means.

"We got to meet him because we were the best, and that's what we want to do again this year," Luke said.


Kobe -- -- Kobe was looking to pass (even over-pass) to start the game. He had a high-turnover game, but the offense certainly clicked all game. Some of their problems defensively in the first quarter were on counterstrikes from such Laker miscues in their offense. Kobe rarely forced any shots, maybe a couple of early offense threes, but he was efficient and focused on finding others. Defensively, he had a few too many "hands down" close outs or non-close outs. Again, he's looked very spry with the ball in his hands. Once that back loosened up, he's been very active. That hasn't quite seemed to translate on the defensive end yet, however. The Stats: He scored 26 points on 8-15 shooting (2-7 from three, 8-9 from the line) to go with 4 boards, 8 assists, 1 steal, 6 turnovers and 2 fouls in 37 minutes. He was a +13. The Action: He was stripped trying to pull up for a jumper. No close out on the other end and Miller buried a three on him. He airballed a three. He over-passed on a sure layup. He kicked out to Fish for a three. He threw a pass away, dunk on the other end. He got into the middle of the lane, over-passed and threw it right out of bounds (geez, take the easy ones, Kobe). He missed a lefty jumphook posting up Caron. He hit Pau for the jumper in the middle of the lane. He swung through and drew FTs, he made both. He swished a three in early offense. He hit a pull-up in transition from 14 feet out at the end of the quarter. He attacked down the lane, through defenders, and scored an And-1 layup, he made the FT. He missed a three in transition. He set up Drew for FTs in transition. He thought he drew FTs on shove but the refs didn't call it. He had 10 points on 3-7 shooting and 4 assists at the half. Second Half: Quick first step to get by Caron and he drew FTs at the rim, he made one. He was stripped in the paint for a score the other way. He gave an interior lob to Bynum for the dunk. His pass hit the backboard, another turnover. He got a man on his hip, moved in closer and he banked a short jumper. He attacked through defenders, took contact, hung with no call and banked the in the lane. He lobbed to Pau on the break for a dunk. He got his man on his hip again, worked in close and hit the short one on the baseline. He worked off the screen and banked from the left side. He attacked a lane and was hammered for FTs, he made both. He missed a three straight away. He missed a long wing three at the third-quarter buzzer, dead straight just short. He worked the two-man game with Pau until the D was confused and left Kobe wide open for a three which he buried. He got tapped on a long three next time down. The crowd boo'd Caron for holding Kobe after Kobe blew past him (they wanted a dunk), Kobe made both FTs. He dribbled a ball out of bounds.

Gasol -- -- Good all-around offensive game from Pau. The team worked the mismatch against Jamison. We also saw some of those nice extra passes from Pau to teammates for scores. The passing between LO and Pau tonight had a couple of beauties. When we're working that (particularly when Kobe draws initial attention) the Lakers often chew teams apart. That will be important later in this road trip. Defensively, Pau had his hands full against Jamison who the Wizards were looking to set up with purpose. The team had the one second quarter where they got lockdown. Other than that, the Wizards were able to take advantage of some of their mismatches or Laker miscues. Jamison finished with a game-high 27 points. The Stats: He scored 26 points on 10-15 shooting (6-7 from the line) to go with 10 boards, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover and 2 fouls in 40 minutes. He was a +3. The Action: To start the game, he scored an And-1 from a few feet away on a quick flash to the ball, he made the FT. He swished a baseline jumper. He hit a short jumper in the middle of the lane. He missed a short jumphook. LO took a corner entry and fed Pau with an interior feed for the layup (could have been an And-1). He missed a wide open FT jumper on one end and gave up a layup on the other. He cleaned up an Artest drive with an easy putback. He got a kind bounce on a lefty jumphook. He had 13 points on 6-8 shooting and 6 boards. Second Half: He missed a jumphook over Miller. He ball-faked and then hit the wing jumper. He sank a turnaround 10-footer over Jamison. He posted up and drew FTs, making one. He quickly kicked out to Ron for a corner three. He jammed down a lob on the break with Kobe. He missed a 17-footer. He missed a turnaround in the post. A long defensive rebound bounced right to him and he drew FTs, he made both. He drew three straight fouls on Blatche (and a double tech), the last foul resulted in FTs which he made. He iso'd on Blatche, worked the post with a series of moves and banked between a crowd of defenders. He threw a lob up for Lamar to go get for a massive throwdown.

Bynum -- -- This is one of those games where just having Bynum on the floor to tie up a bigger defender makes Pau's work at the PF that much easier on the offensive end. Bynum took on Haywood and Pau got the ball against Jamison or Blatche. The Lakers shot 58 percent because they were able to milk some of those easier match ups, and when Drew got the ball he was highly efficient. His post game has become a very confident weapon these days. The Pacers will try to live up to their name tomorrow and push the pace. Bynum is going to have to make sure he plays with speed on D. But offensively, if the team wants to slow things down, look for them to go to the post. Could be a good battle. The Stats: He scored 12 points on 4-5 shooting (4-6 from the line) to go with 5 boards, 1 block and 2 fouls in 30 minutes. He was a +5. The Action: Quick step around Haywood and he was fouled, he made both FTs. He faced up, spun and hit the short jumper. He stepped around his man in the post with great footwork (that extra step-through) and he scored the layup. He forced Jamison into an airball with a good challenge. On the other end, Kobe set him up for FTs, he missed both. He missed a baseline turnaround. Second Half: He banked a jumphook in straight away, lucky make and he smiled on the way down court. He dunked off the quick interior lob from Kobe. He was hit from behind on a defensive board, he made both FTs.

Artest -- -- He missed the White House visit with the flu. "I'll see President Obama next year," Artest said. He really is beat up and not moving like he was earlier in the season. He gave a good effort, but that extra hustle and the defensive rotations aren't quite what they were. When we switch gears to the speedier units with Kobe at the SF, the team has had some of their better stints lately. The Stats: He scored 5 points on 2-6 (1-2 from three) to go with 1 boards, 2 assists and 2 fouls in 26 minutes. He was -5. The Action: He missed a baseline jumper. He posted up Miller and swished a fallaway. Miller went past him off the dribble for a layup. He missed a wing three. He attacked, drew a crowd and missed a layup, but Pau easily cleaned it up. Second Half: He swished a wide open corner three on a kickout from Pau. He missed a layup trying to muscle it in past Miller.

Fisher -- -- The Wizard PG spot did very little against the Lakers. Fish actually played some decent D. His rotations are usually very strong, but tonight the two-man game wasn't under siege like normal. The more mobile Laker lineup (with Artest, Fish and Bynum on the bench) seemed to match up better with the Wizards defensively, but that seemed to be more of a result of the other spots on the floor that the Wizards were attacking. On a side note, it was nice to see the two guys who came in the league together (Kobe and DFish) holding up the jersey for the Pres. The Stats: He scored 8 points on 3-6 shooting (2-4 from three) to go with 1 board, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 turnover and no fouls in 23 minutes. He had a +/- of 0. The Action: He drained an open wing three on a Kobe kickout. His transition lob was picked off for points the other way. He missed a sideline line jumper next time down. He missed an open three straight away. He swiped the ball from Miller on help D, then outlet to Shannon for the dunk. He missed a corner jumper. He attacked, stopped with a behind the back dribble and swished the baseline elbow jumper. He swished a corner three near the end of the half. Then he drew an offensive foul taking a knee on a screen in the backcourt to get the ball back. Second Half: He swiped a pass and it led to a breakaway score. Nice D to stay in front of his man and help get a shotclock violation.

Lamar -- -- Good hustle from Lamar on both ends to start the game. He was a +14 on his first stint and helped the Laker second unit to take control of the game. The Lakers need him to show up on the road. Lamar did his part. With a smaller lineup to go up against defensively, he looked aggressive and attacked. Later, he was in on some of those excellent passing sequences between him and Pau. When those two are getting or making that extra pass, the team chews up opponents. Some of those were set up off the attention Kobe got. "We needed a game like this," Lamar said afterward. The Stats: He scored 15 points on 7-10 shooting (1-3 from three) to go with 8 boards, 3 assists and no fouls in 27 minutes. He was a +16. The Action: Left alone, he drained a wing three. Nice help D on one end to cover for Bynum (help the helper) and get the ball, on the other end he scored a layup over a bigman. Quick board and push out to Kobe for a jumper at the end of the first quarter. He fed Pau with a nice interior feed for the layup. He hit Shannon off the back screen for lob dunk (wide open). He flashed to the ball, took the pass and quickly attacked for a layup. Feeling it, he pulled up and swished a 20-footer in early offense. He scored a layup when Sasha kept an offensive board alive to him. Second Half: He bricked a wing three. He banked a jumphook. He missed an early offense wing jumper, way short. Pau threw one up for him to get, LO stretched out and slammed it in. He missed a corner three.

Brown -- -- The on/off Shannon Brown play meant he was due for the big game today. He delivered and then some. Superb game on both ends of the court. His hustle on D is what this team has needed badly. He showed quick hands and a non-stop defensive motor. Great to see. Offensively, he had several dunks, including the play of the game where he bolted off the three line as Bynum missed a freethrow and slammed it back in between defenders. "They didn't box me out, man," Shannon said. The team was clicking whenever Shannon was on the floor and Phil gave him some extended run. He lead the team with a +19. Pretty obvious impact ball regardless of the stats to back it up. "It's been an amazing experience," Shannon said of the trip to the White House. The Stats: He scored 11 points on 5-11 shooting (1-3 from three) to go with 2 boards, 3 assists, 3 steals, 1 block and 1 foul in 31 minutes. The Action: He swished a baseline jumper. He missed a pull-up from the wing. Monster jam off the backscreen alley-oop play from Lamar. He swiped an inbounds pass. He pounced from behind on Stevenson when Sasha turned him at midcourt. He missed a three. He winged a jumper by Foye on a good challenge. He busted out on the Fish steal, took the outlet and dunked. He missed a wide open three. Great hustle on D to harrass Miller, then Jamison to get a shotclock violation. He bricked a pull-up in transition. Play of the Night: Shannon flew in on a Bynum missed FT, elevated between rebounders and jammed back in a FT miss. He was called for a foul on a rejection. Second Half: He stripped a big to save a dunk. Great hustle to knock another ball out of bounds. He bricked a short step-back jumper. He sank a wing three. He missed a wing jumper.

Farmar -- -- The president received the No. 1 jersey with an "Obama" on the back. Of course, that's Jordan's number. Farmar reminded Laker fans that all presidents get that jersey. The trio of Farmar, Shannon and Lamar brought some excellent energy off the bench. They changed the tone in the first half. Farmar's jumper looked smooth and he didn't try to do too much. The Stats: He scored 7 points on 3-5 shooting (1-2 from the line) to go with 1 assist, 1 turnover and 3 fouls in 21 minutes. He was a +8. The Action: He was called for a charge trying to iso on Boykins. He sat with two fouls. Second Half: Miller blew past him on the dribble (that shouldn't happen). He swished a baseline jumper off the high screen. Great ball movement next time down and Farmar swished the open wing three. He missed a wing three shortly later (heat check on the road). He attacked off the three line, pulled up and banked in the midrange (more of that, please). He missed a long jumper running clock at the end of the game.

Vujacic -- -- He came in at SG, sliding Shannon over to Boykins when Farmar picked up his second foul. Later, he came in for Kobe at the SF. Brief but decent minutes from Sasha. He was making some hustle plays on both ends. He also sank both of the jumpers he took. The Stats: He scored 5 points on 2-2 shooting (1-1 from three) to go with 1 board and 1 foul in 5 minutes. He was a +1. The Action: He crashed the glass and knocked a ball to Lamar for a layup. He attacked off a screen and found himself open from 16 feet straight away and hit the easy jumper (anytime he can get to that spot on the court, that's a money jumper for him). Sneak attack from behind Haywood to tie him up after rebound. Second Half: He stripped Caron under the hoop to save a basket. He swished a corner three to answer Caron's three. He then fouled Caron trying to hit a three on the other end.

Phil -- -- Down by 5 with 3:39 left in the first quarter, he brought in LO for Pau, Shannon for Ron, and Jordan for DFish. They would help turn the game in the Lakers favor and keep it there... Despite some sloppy play on both ends and poor transition D, the Lakers led 30-29 after the first. Good job by that second unit... Phil started a Pau, Lamar, Ron, Brown, Farmar unit... He brought in Sasha for Farmar who had foul troubles. The second unit extended to a 9-point lead... The Lakers led 60-44 at the half. The Lakers shot an impressive 61 percent (25-41), while the Wizards shot 46.5 percent (20-43). The Laker bench outscored the Wizard bench 21-8. The Lakers held their turnovers to just 5 after the sloppy first quarter... The coaches warned the team not to let the Wizards back in. Go for the K.O. to start the third... They wouldn't do that in the third quarter... Up 79-66 Phil went to a Bynum, Lamar, Kobe, Shannon, Farmar unit... The Lakers led 87-72 heading into the fourth... Phil started a Pau, Lamar, Artest, Shannon, Farmar unit. Same as the start of the second quarter... They were out-scored by 6 after 3 minutes. Phil brought in Kobe for Ron... They built up a lead, but got too loose offensively and Phil called a timeout with 5 minutes left... They cruised from there... Some excellent passing sequences in the fourth... The Lakers shot 59 percent for the game, the Wizards 51 percent. The Wizards beat the Lakers 13-4 on the offensive glass. The Wizards didn't block a shot... The Laker bench out-scored the Wizard bench 38-21...

Game Flow -- LINK -- The game turned the moment the Laker subs came in in that first quarter.

[JTS1]

1st?

i'll start reading...now!
_________________
'How many kids can say growing up that they'll turn pro and play for their favorite team in the world and spend your entire career there? IT'S BEEN A DREAM!'-Kobe Bryant 11.29.15

[LakerLanny]

Shannon Brown is making a name for himself.

The guy has been outstanding every since arriving in Los Angeles, the Vujacic fans have been silenced. Brown will play ahead of Sasha permanently.
_________________
Love, Laker Lanny

[Ray_Gonzoles]

Thanks DB!

Bench showed some life tonight, will need that kind of energy the rest of the season.
_________________
"Just show up ready to work, ready to play, Have your big boy pants on, leave your diaper at home." Kobe Bryant
Anything less than a championship is a failure. Period.

[Paillard]

[Master)v(ind]

Was Kobe's 7 3pt shots justified this game
_________________
“A story about Kobe is the first time they went to be fitted for their USA uniforms and Kobe starts crying. The equipment person asks him what happened and Kobe was like, man, you don’t understand, I’ve dreamed of playing for my country."

[Paillard]

Double post.

[prisma8slg]

thanks DB
_________________
"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."

[limchrc]

Thanks, nice win.

[TooMuchMajicBuss]

DB -- Nice recap, and a very entertaining yet poignant analogy in that card left by DancingBarry.

I wish I could have seen this game; reading your recaps give me so much more of a complete picture of what happened than I can get from any other source. Thanks again!

[lakerboy]

thanks db

shannon brown is more and more looking like the last year version of ariza.
we need his hustle, his quickness (on both ends) and his hops.

[wolfpaclaker]

When Lamar plays really well - not just good or average for his standards - the Lakers are unbeatable.

I rarely recall a game where Lamar played like the 2nd or 3rd best player on the Lakers and had a stand out game with the end result not being a W.

Lakers need to keep LO in the know on that. Especially before the big games and in the playoffs in particular. Can't forget even though he comes off the bench how important it is to get LO going early, or LO get LO going early.

[RVCdesigns]

Thanks DB

[hoopschick29]

Anytime Lamar wants to play, he is welcome. When he's engaged, it's both spectacular and frustrating. You see games like last night and you realize the kind of beast he CAN be...when he wants.

Shannon...wow this kid sees his moment and he's taking it. Carpe Diem. To think he was a breath away from washing out of the league and now look at him.

You know, Sasha did okay out there last night....until the last 29 seconds. It's like he couldn't help himself. He had to remind everyone why he doesn't get to play anymore fouling that guy shooting a 3 pointer.
_________________
So glad we gave you your flowers while you were here, Kobe.

[DancingBarry]

[Master)v(ind]

[DancingBarry]

[StOnEy333]

Lakers at Wizards. I'm just saying.