Yes, it is. He used his moves beautifully last night.

This game was an example of why it’s going to be hard to beat us this year. We are good enough to overcome lackluster performances. I just knew that as lethargic as the Lakers were playing, they were still in he game and would step up in the 4th. Wins like these show character.

I see an energized statement game tonight. They’ve blown out 2 opponents in what I would call early statement games in Portland and Houston. I expect them to be very focused tonight. Especially Kobe. Point to prove to NOH fans.

Meanwhile, we get to watch a team that almost won an NBA championship last year show how much it has improved this year.

It’s a very good time to be a Laker fan.

We as fans have got to let him know that we see and appreciate what he does on the floor. Because a lot of what he does does not translate into statistics.

I was quite enamored with him coming to the Lakers last year. He sort of went under the radar for everyone but LA aficionados, who knew that he was the piece that had long been absent from a Lakers uniform.

Now, if he improves his shooting each year, like Cooper and actually does become the Lakers defensive stopper, we Laker fans will grow weary of going to parades!

I also want to say a quick word about Trevor Ariza: I’ve always wanted nothing but the best for that guy, and I certainly had high hopes that he might eventually develop into a key piece for the Lakers. However, until this season I always thought his reputation as a defensive ace was more a product of fan’s wishful thinking than anything I’d actually witnessed happening on the court. This was especially true when he was out with his foot injury, when he became this almost mythical “stopper” that would have shut down Pierce in the Finals all by himself if only he’d been fully healthy.

But now … now I have at last seen the light. I’m a true believer. Trevor was absolutely breathtaking in this game, and almost certainly the difference between winning and losing. He was everywhere, making every kind of play imaginable. His stellar play basically forced Phil to leave him out on the floor to finish out the game, something we may be seeing a lot more of going forward. Trevor, I apologize for ever doubting you.

But the problem is that active dynamic stretching can’t get the same extension, and if you do, you run the risk of injury. Don’t know if you remember, but before static stretching, everyone sort of ‘bounced’ during stretches trying to over-extend.

At any rate, we’re not talking about powerlifting, we’re talking basketball. Less than 100% strength muscles will really not affect your shot /defense/ running significantly… just how much you can bench

Maybe the Lakers are doing static stretching before the games?

I read an article that showed that “static stretching” (like touching your toes) actually made the muscles weaker for 30 minutes. This is as opposed to “dynamic stretching” (like walking on all fours up and down the court) which actually achieves the purpose of warming up the muscles to be ready to explode and perform game maneuvers.

This is my amateur theory to explaing the Lakers’ slow starts. Please forward to Gary Vitti, Lakers trainer.

That last block was off the chain.

When I think about how Brian Cook used to drive me crazy on a daily basis, I just can’t believe we gave him up for this guy.