Comments on: Fast Break Thoughts

By: Kurt

Kurt — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:18:51 +0000

New game 2 preview post up (linking to the JonesontheNBA post, among other things). The plan is to leave that post up until late tomorrow afternoon, when the game chat post goes up.

By: JONESONTHENBA

JONESONTHENBA — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 19:21:26 +0000

New post up about the new and improved Lamar Odom

http://jonesonthenba.blogspot.com/2008/04/new-lamar-odom.html

By: Warren Wee Lim

Warren Wee Lim — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 17:42:55 +0000

I think this group could look really good in wins (the ride now is pretty amazing) but one bad loss could make you think twice about not having Drew back. But having to choose between a playoff run this year and a fully healed Drew next year with even more experience makes our Lakers very scary. As is, our trio of Kobe, Pau and Lamar are very well respected league-wide. The only suspect is our defense and for that I’d really want Trevor back to guard the Nashes and CP3s and Derons.

By: drrayeye

drrayeye — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 17:16:04 +0000

HI, nomuskles, I’m with you 100%. As far as I can see (which isn’t very far), there are seven very good teams that could beat the Lakers–and we’ve managed to win one at home against Denver so far.

Craig’s worried about the Jazz, others are worried about Phoenix–or San Antonio–or Dallas–or New Orleans. Some only want to think about slowing down the Celtics. I hear, but I don’t see.

If we manage to survive this first challenge, I’ll think seriously about the next. It will be interesting to see what challenges those Nuggs have in store for us tomorrow.

I’m absolutely certain that we don’t have to worry about the Warriors!

By: Brian Tung

Brian Tung — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 17:15:31 +0000

Any thoughts on whether that was a foul by Scola on Kirilenko toward the end of that game with Utah up by three? T-Mac passes up the shot (of course) to Bobby Jackson who comes up with the huge trey, but it gets waved off because of a clear-out by Scola.

Henry Abbott thinks it was a foul by Scola, but on the replay, I have to disagree. To me it looks like Kirilenko hooked Scola’s right arm and pushed himself out of bounds with Scola’s hand.

By: weston

weston — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 17:04:29 +0000

Funny: I’m not even sad about the Bynum news. Of course I’d love to see the young dude back, but I love the chemistry that LO and Pau are bringing and I’d hate to mess that up.

The way I see it, if ‘Drew returns, it’s a nice bonus and another long, athletic big for the already imposing lineup. If he doesn’t, no big deal, let’s see what we can do with this group.

By: chris h

chris h — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:54:04 +0000

thinking about the Bynum news, that his possibility of playing at all for the rest of the year is “remote”…
well, think about this folks, what if when Andrew went down last (what was it? January?) what if the team called it a “season ending” injury???
think about the effect it would have on the team morale.
but to call it an 8 week healing process, that gave us all hope that young ‘Drew would be coming back to help us down the stretch drive and the playoffs.
I think it’s possible that the team took this strategy, to avoid a meltdown, a letdown that might have been irreversable.
then they went out and pulled the trigger on Pau for Kwame, and no one, not even management could imagine that pau would have been so effective for the spirit and chemistry of this team.
I think this is our team for the playoffs, and I think this team will go pretty far, and no doubt it will be fun to watch, no matter what the final outcome.
and as Kobe said recently, this team is built for a long run, (this year, and the next, and the next…)
so sit back and enjoy the ride!

By: 81 Witness

81 Witness — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:38:46 +0000

Keys to game 2:

1) Use the shotclock. Kobe, please be patient. Do not force up jumpshots, even if you are hot. You have one of the best coaches, stick to the game plan for the W. Denver’s team defense stinks. They break down and double-team leaving opposing players open. Do not stray from the path #24.

2) Force the Nugs into jumpshots. Melo and Iverson hung 60 points on you. So what? The majority of their points were jump shots. Make Denver a jump-shooting team and force them to play to the Lakers tempo (see #1).

3) I don’t believe starting Kleiza or Smith will provide any advantages for Denver: a) Both players are susceptible to fouling and would slow the pace of the game down (especially Smith); b) They would limit Camby and K-mart minutes (good news for Kobe and Pau), and c) they will not limit Melo and AIs attempts.

By: weston

weston — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:36:04 +0000

I agree, Utah could be tough. But I like our chances, especially if Vladi, Luke, Jordan, etc. can get a rhythm going while we dispatch Denver. Those will be some fun games to watch. Speaking of watching, any of you FB&Gers in the Austin area?

By: nomuskles

nomuskles — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:20:12 +0000

I’m all about getting excited, but the Lakers have only won one game. This series is far from decided. It seems a bit premature to start looking at round two when round one JUST JUST JUST got started. It’s not like Denver is the worst team in the league. An injury, suspension or a bad game can change the complexion of this series. I’m just trying to enjoy the playoffs game to game, not all at once.