LAKERS -at- ROCKETS - 5/10 - Thoughts and :-(( Ratings

LakerSanity · Posted: Sun May 10, 2009 9:04 pm Post subject:

He hasn't fouled out a game yet though. At this point, since he's not getting the minutes to foul out anyway, I say who cares about foul trouble?
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wolfpaclaker · Retired Number Joined: 29 May 2002 Posts: 58374

Addicus · Posted: Sun May 10, 2009 9:20 pm Post subject:

Wolf and LS I hope I didn't come off as calling him a player that only wants money. At this point he has the money guaranteed no matter what. What I meant is he has never had to really motivate himself about anything else in basketball. At this point he the game needs to be more about his teammates than himself because he isn't 100% mentally or physically and he will not be able to dominate on both ends most likely. He needs to look at what is can do for them. What they need is a guy who attacks the boards and closes down the paint. I know the refs keep calling him for all the ticky-tack stuff on the pick and rolls and he is frustrated, but he can't do anything about that.

I saw a few plays today that told me the young man isn't focus and properly motivated.

The first was in his first stint. He did a great job being a presence in the paint on defense; the shot was off and went high. Only he and LO were there and he just watched the ball. He made no attempt to go get it and had no desire to own the boards. Instead LO went up and grabbed it out of the air.

The second was in the second half. He was coming back on offense and his man was trailing him by 7 feet or so. A few weeks ago he would have sprinted to the post, got position and dunked it. That isn't in his mind which means he isn't right.

Earlier in the game Luke was turning the ball over like a hot potato. One of those TO's came when he threw the ball to Bynum who was playing with his hands down while fighting for position. It was a bad pass, but one Luke made because he's used to Bynum wanting the ball no matter what and keeping his hands up and ready.

Bynum may be hurting. He may not be fully recovered from his knee injury. He may even have reinjured himself. Still the most devastating part of his game to the Lakers is his mentality right now. As of now he is lost on the court and has no desire to dominate. They should sit him then. Nothing against him, but Mbenga is ready and willing to play and at this time of the year, that can matter more than Bynum being a better talent.
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Sister Golden Hair · Franchise Player Joined: 01 May 2001 Posts: 15872

LakerSanity · Posted: Sun May 10, 2009 9:27 pm Post subject:

I agree with SGH.... and wolf, I agree that Bynum needs to work himself in if only because that's the only way he actually gets minutes. However, even though he's being asked to do that, I don't think its fair to expect him to succeed at it. It's just an unfair situation for him in my opinion (somewhat echoing SGH's sentiments again).

BTW, this may be the only thread I feel safe posting in for now if anyone wants to join me in here over the next two days.

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mirak · Star Player Joined: 24 Jun 2005 Posts: 5238

Qsmiff · Posted: Sun May 10, 2009 9:33 pm Post subject:

I think "9 Rings" mind games have destroyed Andrew's confidence and that's not a good thing because I don't see us winning a ring with Pau as our defensive anchor

Klone_dd · Star Player Joined: 11 Mar 2002 Posts: 7330

An absolute embarassment today. No one, from the players to the coaches, seemed prepared at all. Gotta look at the vets leading the team - Kobe, Fish & Phil. They had the arrogant attitude that the Rockets were going to crumple in the fetal position after the Yao news. They should know better since this team, without Yao, had a double digit win streak last year, including one over this Lakers team. They had to know that the Rockets, regardless of Yao, were going to play despirate ball. In the past, Phil would've labelled this an "at death's door" game. Yet they didn't prepare and played like it was a given. Now they are in a battle, and a minimum of 6 games.

Embarrassing. Reminded me of Finals Game 6. I really hate to be reminded of that game.

Sister Golden Hair · Franchise Player Joined: 01 May 2001 Posts: 15872

I'd be very curious to know what Kareem is telling Andrew these days to help him get his mojo back.

I do think that running a few plays for Andrew early, forcing him to get post position deep by design, and executing properly could help somewhat to get him energized and keep him involved. Some guys are like that. When Andrew plays well offensively, his defense tends to follow suit. When he's passive, or ignored, his interest-level plummets. Hey, it happened with Shaq as well.

What I often see from the team, however, is what happened today. The first shot taken was a 3-pointer by a perimeter player (Kobe, IIRC) with no rhyme or reason to it. (In fact, were there any post plays in the first quarter?)

Get your bigs off to a good start. That should be the first thing. The outside game should complement the inside advantage. This team has it backwards.

If it feels like I'm reaching I probably am.

SGH

mirak · Star Player Joined: 24 Jun 2005 Posts: 5238

Addicus · Posted: Sun May 10, 2009 10:15 pm Post subject:

AJLakerFan · Star Player Joined: 14 Jul 2006 Posts: 4161

Addicus · Posted: Sun May 10, 2009 11:18 pm Post subject:

The only mind games effecting Andrew are those he's playing on himself. Lamar is the better player currently and has earned the starting position. Funny how Shannon Brown, Sasha and Farmar can come off the bench and exhibit effort and a desire to be effective, but Andrew isn't. This does not lie in Phil's lap. Stop making excuses for Andrew because he doesn't need them. He needs to stop feeling sorry for himself that the refs are officiating him terribly and start jumping for rebounds, rotating better on defense, sprinting down the court in transition and getting better position on the low block and catching the damn ball. Then he'll be on fire because the boy can play. Will he is the ?
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pask · Posted: Sun May 10, 2009 11:41 pm Post subject:

I use to watch games at Lakers games at 6AM, here we have a 9 hours difference. Today the game was at 21.30h, and I barely watched. It was shameful. No purpose, no intensity , no defense. The game was played like Houston wanted. And Phil didn´t try anything new. If Houston goes small, we must go big. It´ll seem weird, but why don´t try Kobe on Brooks, and then Ariza on Battier , Odom on Artest, and finally Pau and Andrew? That will kill them inside and outside...

Addicus · Posted: Sun May 10, 2009 11:57 pm Post subject:

kups · Star Player Joined: 24 Jun 2005 Posts: 1716

wow, all that talent & versatility in our line-up & our coach still can't figure out the right combination & motivation to kill lesser teams..

thanks for the recap DB.
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Arizona · Star Player Joined: 11 Oct 2007 Posts: 3177 Location: PHX

2The4th · Posted: Mon May 11, 2009 12:34 am Post subject:

Key failure:

Odom - did his space cadet defensive imitation
Kobe - shooting too many jumpshot. Not sticking to his man.
Luke - doesn't belong in the league
Gasol - doesn't jump when contesting shots. Doesn't come out of the paint to D. Doesn't rotate.
Sasha - doesn't stay in front of his man.

Arizona · Star Player Joined: 11 Oct 2007 Posts: 3177 Location: PHX

jmark · Star Player Joined: 26 Jan 2002 Posts: 2586

Kobe set the tone by cheating off of Battier. He must realize that without Yao Shane is one of their scorers! Once he got going we were toast. Fisher should not have started. Jordan is a better matchup.
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jmark · Star Player Joined: 26 Jan 2002 Posts: 2586

Kobe set the tone by cheating off of Battier. He must realize that without Yao Shane is one of their scorers! Once he got going we were toast. Fisher should not have started. Jordan is a better matchup.
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ntnsnoopy · Posted: Mon May 11, 2009 4:52 am Post subject:

ntnsnoopy · Posted: Mon May 11, 2009 4:56 am Post subject:

limchrc · Franchise Player Joined: 29 Jun 2005 Posts: 11477

Hope we have a better showing next game.