Comments on: The Turbulent Pacific http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2006/09/29/the-turbulent-pacific/ A Lakers Blog. Thoughts, reflections, and the odd rant on the Los Angeles Lakers and the NBA (even the Clippers). Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:18:38 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Stephen http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2006/09/29/the-turbulent-pacific/comment-page-1/#comment-17229 Stephen Mon, 02 Oct 2006 04:27:50 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2006/09/29/the-turbulent-pacific/#comment-17229 Moved to LA last summer and watched a ton of Lakers and Clippers-tho am a Rockets fan. From my couch the Clippers clearly have better overall talent,play slightly better D and are more unselfish as a team.(Brand and Kaman are far better than Kwame and Mihm,just as Lamar and Kobe are far superior to Mobley and Thomas(or Ross),w/Cassell's experience and b***s giving the Clips a marginal edge at starters.But Clipper bench w/Maggette,Livinston and Ross/Thomas overwhelms Radmanavich and co.) The Clippers problem is chemistry. They need Cassell to stay healthy all season,Livinston to blossom,Thomas to get thru the season and esp they need Maggette to forget he was the go-to guy on the team and to accept being a sub.They need to sign Dunleavy to keep team in his control or if they start to believe he's a lame duck the lockerroom will become poisonous and affect court performance. Sacremento is a wildcard,but the ongoing fight over a new arena may have an unexpected effect in limiting much of the Kings' normal home-court edge. I think Phil waiting til now for his hip surgery is going to cost the Lakers a few games and who knows how vital those games may be. I think the Suns are more vulnerable than everyone thinks. I seriously doubt Stoudemire will be close to 100% at any point this season,Marion is reportedly disgruntled and knows the Suns were willing to trade him,the old management team is gone,other teams esp in West have made roster changes to match them and Nash has played alot of minutes the last couple of yrs. The comment about rankings based on Div is of little use should remind us that whatever team we root for,they are actually playing for 1 of 6 spots,as Divisional winners are in automatically. Moved to LA last summer and watched a ton of Lakers and Clippers-tho am a Rockets fan.
From my couch the Clippers clearly have better overall talent,play slightly better D and are more unselfish as a team.(Brand and Kaman are far better than Kwame and Mihm,just as Lamar and Kobe are far superior to Mobley and Thomas(or Ross),w/Cassell’s experience and b***s giving the Clips a marginal edge at starters.But Clipper bench w/Maggette,Livinston and Ross/Thomas overwhelms Radmanavich and co.)
The Clippers problem is chemistry. They need Cassell to stay healthy all season,Livinston to blossom,Thomas to get thru the season and esp they need Maggette to forget he was the go-to guy on the team and to accept being a sub.They need to sign Dunleavy to keep team in his control or if they start to believe he’s a lame duck the lockerroom will become poisonous and affect court performance.
Sacremento is a wildcard,but the ongoing fight over a new arena may have an unexpected effect in limiting much of the Kings’ normal home-court edge.
I think Phil waiting til now for his hip surgery is going to cost the Lakers a few games and who knows how vital those games may be.
I think the Suns are more vulnerable than everyone thinks. I seriously doubt Stoudemire will be close to 100% at any point this season,Marion is reportedly disgruntled and knows the Suns were willing to trade him,the old management team is gone,other teams esp in West have made roster changes to match them and Nash has played alot of minutes the last couple of yrs.
The comment about rankings based on Div is of little use should remind us that whatever team we root for,they are actually playing for 1 of 6 spots,as Divisional winners are in automatically.

]]> By: LakeMan http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2006/09/29/the-turbulent-pacific/comment-page-1/#comment-17201 LakeMan Mon, 02 Oct 2006 01:28:41 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2006/09/29/the-turbulent-pacific/#comment-17201 John R, get the heck out of here. John R, get the heck out of here.

]]> By: Andrew S. http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2006/09/29/the-turbulent-pacific/comment-page-1/#comment-17196 Andrew S. Mon, 02 Oct 2006 00:38:07 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2006/09/29/the-turbulent-pacific/#comment-17196 How many games do you think they tanked, and how many points do you think it cost them? Their last five games: W Portland 97-93 W Seattle 101-97 L Seattle 98-114 L Memphis 95-101 W Dallas 85-71 It look like they only tanked two games. And the Memphis loss is not so great that it couldn't have happened without them trying to lose. And then Dallas tanked against them in the last game, giving them +14 points, which makes up for most of the tanking they did previously. So at the end of the season, the Lakers had scored 205 more points then they allowed. The Clippers scored 138 more points than they allowed. That's a difference of 67 points. Of course, you can't take these numbers completley at face value. There are differences in garbage time, and different schedules, and teams tanking at the end of the year. But it suggests that the two teams were at least pretty similar. And then they both lost to the Suns in 7 games. How many games do you think they tanked, and how many points do you think it cost them?

Their last five games:
W Portland 97-93
W Seattle 101-97
L Seattle 98-114
L Memphis 95-101
W Dallas 85-71

It look like they only tanked two games. And the Memphis loss is not so great that it couldn’t have happened without them trying to lose. And then Dallas tanked against them in the last game, giving them +14 points, which makes up for most of the tanking they did previously.

So at the end of the season, the Lakers had scored 205 more points then they allowed. The Clippers scored 138 more points than they allowed. That’s a difference of 67 points.

Of course, you can’t take these numbers completley at face value. There are differences in garbage time, and different schedules, and teams tanking at the end of the year. But it suggests that the two teams were at least pretty similar. And then they both lost to the Suns in 7 games.

]]> By: LakeMan http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2006/09/29/the-turbulent-pacific/comment-page-1/#comment-17195 LakeMan Mon, 02 Oct 2006 00:29:29 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2006/09/29/the-turbulent-pacific/#comment-17195 And honestly, i have no idea why you're trying to make excuses for the Clippers. And honestly, i have no idea why you’re trying to make excuses for the Clippers.

]]> By: John R. http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2006/09/29/the-turbulent-pacific/comment-page-1/#comment-17188 John R. Sun, 01 Oct 2006 23:34:53 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2006/09/29/the-turbulent-pacific/#comment-17188 Anyone who doesn't understand the tanking sensation is an embarassment to themselves, their families, the Lakers, this website, just about everyone. Noone is "worried" about having a better record, only overall success matters. The chances of having greater overall success increase when you play the Nuggets in the first round with home court advantage compared to playing anyone else without homecourt advantage. Only a true Lakers homer could not understand this. The "strong finish" is a mirage. Except for the Lakers, Kings and Hornets, EVERY TEAM'S FATE WAS SEALED by the time April started. Yes, the Lakers beat up the Suns in April, BUT KOBE AND LAMAR STILL HAD TO PLAY 40 minutes to get it done even though Nash and Bell sat out. Try not to be as myopic as everyone acuses you of being. The"strong finish" was an illusion. Prepare to be exposed by the Suns again 10/31. Again, if we are arguing point differential, check the point differential in the playoff series vs Suns for each team. A nice 7-game constant I'd say. Clippers +2 for the series, Lakers, -Suck. I could make the argument that the Lakers were lucky to not be out in 5 while the Clippers were unlucky not to advance, but I won't, because unlike many Lakers fans I don't make my living dwelling on the past. Though if one season was a fluke, having the better record two seasons in the row is a pattern I'd say. Hey, only one team in LA lost to Atlanta and Charlotte, managed to lose to the Blazers more than once, and needed a heroic 80+ point effort from their superstar to sneak past the Raptors at home. Were you so confident of your precious Lakers after that offensive powerhouse Steve Blake destroyed the Lakers backcourt again and again? Do you not even question your faith? That is what we are talking about here faith, not logic, but faith, when just about every expert is betting against you. I know Vegas is betting against you since every sports book I visited this summer, and I have been four times, has the Lakers at longer odds than the Clippers to win the Championship. Some at significantly longer odds, despite the significantly larger fan base. I guess there is alot of noise about confidence in the Lakers, but not alot of put-up. And as we say in the reality-based community, money talks and...well this is a family site. Normally I don't like to take it so specific, but foolishness I cannot abide, especially when it comes with personal affronts to those that speak the truth. Get thee back to Lakersground with the unwashed who speak of Bonzi Wells signings and trades for Garnett, Satan! Also training camp has started so its time for all of us to shake the dust and get back to our A games. Anyone who doesn’t understand the tanking sensation is an embarassment to themselves, their families, the Lakers, this website, just about everyone. Noone is “worried” about having a better record, only overall success matters. The chances of having greater overall success increase when you play the Nuggets in the first round with home court advantage compared to playing anyone else without homecourt advantage. Only a true Lakers homer could not understand this.

The “strong finish” is a mirage. Except for the Lakers, Kings and Hornets, EVERY TEAM’S FATE WAS SEALED by the time April started. Yes, the Lakers beat up the Suns in April, BUT KOBE AND LAMAR STILL HAD TO PLAY 40 minutes to get it done even though Nash and Bell sat out. Try not to be as myopic as everyone acuses you of being. The”strong finish” was an illusion. Prepare to be exposed by the Suns again 10/31.

Again, if we are arguing point differential, check the point differential in the playoff series vs Suns for each team. A nice 7-game constant I’d say. Clippers +2 for the series, Lakers, -Suck. I could make the argument that the Lakers were lucky to not be out in 5 while the Clippers were unlucky not to advance, but I won’t, because unlike many Lakers fans I don’t make my living dwelling on the past. Though if one season was a fluke, having the better record two seasons in the row is a pattern I’d say.

Hey, only one team in LA lost to Atlanta and Charlotte, managed to lose to the Blazers more than once, and needed a heroic 80+ point effort from their superstar to sneak past the Raptors at home. Were you so confident of your precious Lakers after that offensive powerhouse Steve Blake destroyed the Lakers backcourt again and again?

Do you not even question your faith? That is what we are talking about here faith, not logic, but faith, when just about every expert is betting against you. I know Vegas is betting against you since every sports book I visited this summer, and I have been four times, has the Lakers at longer odds than the Clippers to win the Championship. Some at significantly longer odds, despite the significantly larger fan base. I guess there is alot of noise about confidence in the Lakers, but not alot of put-up. And as we say in the reality-based community, money talks and…well this is a family site.

Normally I don’t like to take it so specific, but foolishness I cannot abide, especially when it comes with personal affronts to those that speak the truth. Get thee back to Lakersground with the unwashed who speak of Bonzi Wells signings and trades for Garnett, Satan!

Also training camp has started so its time for all of us to shake the dust and get back to our A games.

]]> By: The Festiva http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2006/09/29/the-turbulent-pacific/comment-page-1/#comment-17123 The Festiva Sun, 01 Oct 2006 16:33:38 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2006/09/29/the-turbulent-pacific/#comment-17123 I honestly have no idea what you just said. I honestly have no idea what you just said.

]]> By: LakeMan http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2006/09/29/the-turbulent-pacific/comment-page-1/#comment-16926 LakeMan Sun, 01 Oct 2006 05:24:11 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2006/09/29/the-turbulent-pacific/#comment-16926 LOL, there is no "Actually" if the Clippers were so worried about having a better record then LA then they would've win more games regardless if they were gonna face the Mavericks. they were better then us by +2 does not make any difference. stop creating excuses to make the Clippers look good cause you're failing good. LOL, there is no “Actually” if the Clippers were so worried about having a better record then LA then they would’ve win more games regardless if they were gonna face the Mavericks.

they were better then us by +2 does not make any difference. stop creating excuses to make the Clippers look good cause you’re failing good.

]]> By: The Festiva http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2006/09/29/the-turbulent-pacific/comment-page-1/#comment-16899 The Festiva Sun, 01 Oct 2006 04:02:32 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2006/09/29/the-turbulent-pacific/#comment-16899 Actually, the clippers tanked games towards the end of the season because of the quirky playoff seeding. I'd say it was pretty well established that the clippers were a better team than the lakers last year. I really don't see how sacramento suddenly vaulted past them here. The only team legitimately better than them is Phoenix, both because they beat the clips and because a healthy amare makes them a favorite to have the best record in the NBA this year. Actually, the clippers tanked games towards the end of the season because of the quirky playoff seeding. I’d say it was pretty well established that the clippers were a better team than the lakers last year. I really don’t see how sacramento suddenly vaulted past them here. The only team legitimately better than them is Phoenix, both because they beat the clips and because a healthy amare makes them a favorite to have the best record in the NBA this year.

]]> By: Andrew S. http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2006/09/29/the-turbulent-pacific/comment-page-1/#comment-16624 Andrew S. Sat, 30 Sep 2006 13:25:38 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2006/09/29/the-turbulent-pacific/#comment-16624 An interesting note on the Lakers vs. Clippers. The Lakers actually finished with the higher point differential, and therefore, the higher expected win mark. So it could be argued that the Lakers were the superior team last year. Only a bit of luck landed the Clippers ahead in the standings, and only the wacky playoff seeding let them get into the second round. An interesting note on the Lakers vs. Clippers. The Lakers actually finished with the higher point differential, and therefore, the higher expected win mark. So it could be argued that the Lakers were the superior team last year. Only a bit of luck landed the Clippers ahead in the standings, and only the wacky playoff seeding let them get into the second round.

]]> By: LakeMan http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2006/09/29/the-turbulent-pacific/comment-page-1/#comment-16428 LakeMan Sat, 30 Sep 2006 03:16:11 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2006/09/29/the-turbulent-pacific/#comment-16428 Pacific Divison should end up like this: 1. Suns 2. Lakers 3. Clipper 4. Kings 5. Warriors I think the Kings will make the playoffs but they will have to battle for it. Really the Clippers and the Lakers are a draw it can go either way but i'm pretty confident we'll end up better then them this year. Warriors on another hand will improve but not enough. Pacific Divison should end up like this:

1. Suns
2. Lakers
3. Clipper
4. Kings
5. Warriors

I think the Kings will make the playoffs but they will have to battle for it.

Really the Clippers and the Lakers are a draw it can go either way but i’m pretty confident we’ll end up better then them this year.

Warriors on another hand will improve but not enough.

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