I too am somewhat dismayed by the new attempt at a swarming defensive scheme. Yeah, Bynum is looking lackadasical lately too. Still it is too early too worry that much, but after last years turnaround, I think we can feel good that the Lakeshow is close to where it needs to be. The depth is there, and they could still win a few games if kobe was injured. The Cavs would prob not win many if that were the case with Bron Bron, who is the main highlight on that team still.

They will not outBoston Boston,,,let’s get over that. Having Kobe helps against teams with mortal flaws and pedestrian supporting cast, but even he could not shoot nor run thier offense in game 6 if you recall. Lakes are a long way from being mentally tough, let’s jjust acknowlege we have a young team of abaove average players who are finding thier way. I haven’t seen a whole lot of the LAkers taking teams out of what hey like to do.

ON the positve side:
Trevor Ariza is mostly damn good. I think he isn’t such a bad shooter, just needs to get more comforatble in the offense and improe his decision making, less 3 point attemepts (from everyone on the team) would help.

Deep Team, some talented players, youth is on thier side, (however none of them seem hungry.) When they came out of the gate so strong, they were all just parroting ” this is nothing we just want to win a championship.” , but not really convincing me.. YET! They really can improve and possibly develop a brand of defense over the course of this year which might be good enough.

I really think it is a matter of temperment, and desire. They have good indivduals on the team. My conconers remain:
1. Perimeter Defense, even the 2001 Champ Lakers had problems with that. But they had Shaq to rebound, and more vets to pull through in close games. Fish is older now, and Kobe isn’t hitting as many late game winiers, and it’s nice that he doesn’t have to as much, now that the plays less minutes.
2. Tenative- ness (LO! damn.)
3. Desire to improve and change, they start believing thier own hype after few good games aginst depleted teams.
4. The local media needs to stop with all the high expectations and praise.
5. Besides defensive schemes, if the Lakes could learn anything for the C’s it should be to take one game at a time.

More ramblings and spculation:
[edited for trade talk]
I do think Bynum and Farmar will be parts of a bright future for this team someday, and they are in good positions to learn from all that is going on right now.

Let’s see if they develop perimeter D, Team D, and can stop quick small guards from running coast to coast for layups.

Despit all my tought love, I think they may be able to beat the C’ on christmas day, possibly only out of revenge. Maybe Phil knows exctly what he is doing, but these kids still need to play all 48 minutes, and play more carefully. These guys can turn it on and off occasionally, but they need to stop thinking that is something that hey can do it often ,and in high stakes situations, thay still play farily despaprately, and many other players in the league have picked up on this.

What do y’all think?? = Longtime Laker fan and Angelino. – JC

I do enjoy the success, and would like to see it continue. But if a team (or person) doesn’t continue to be critical of themselves during success, they will inevitably start falling back to earth.

The implication that anyone who isn’t completely gaga over this team is disloyal or doesn’t “deserve” to watch them is silly. I’m happy that the defense is a good idea, but my complaint was never about that but of complacency (I’m not claiming anybody is soft, or that anybody needs to be kg or anything other than what I’ve said) .

If I’m killing anyone’s buzz, I’m sorry. But the fact that anybody had a buzz that could be killed makes me think they’re being a little irrational to start with.

It’s a good team. Dissent is still allowed.

I kind of go back and forth on this. On the one hand, I want to see the Lakers get into a tough Celtics-like mindset and just mow over everybody. On the other hand, I don’t know if that’s in their makeup. We don’t have a team full of Kobe. They’re by and large a laid back group. Maybe the Spurs model of pacing ourselves then hitting the gas in the post season works better for us. Or maybe we need to come up with our own model for winning, even if that just means straight up outscore everyone.

Yeah we should chill and enjoy the ride. Don’t get too hung up on 2 games vs you-know-who out of 82. I’d rather be the Giants than the Patriots of last season.

http://hoopsoup.com/2008/12/05/corie-blount-caught-with-a-grand-total-of-22-lbs-of-weed/

In the end, I want a parade in Downtown LA next year more than I want to beat the Celtics in two regular season games.