The Lakers come out of a brutal four game stretch 2-2, and it could be 3-1 without a couple lucky shots by the Spurs (and a rare mental mistake from Fish). Lakers fans are feeling pretty good about their team’s chances right now — and we all should be. This is a contender. But the […]
Archives for January 2009
The TrueHoop Mothership Has Landed
I tend to join things about as often as Phil Jackson calls a timeout during an opponent’s run. But sometimes there are offers you can’t say no to, like the Shamwow. Or the chance to join the TrueHoop basketball blogging network. As of today Forum Blue & Gold is part of the TrueHoop Network, joining […]
Preview and Chat: The Cleveland Cavs
(First, Happy Martin Luther King Jr. day. It seems to mean a bit more this year.) Lakers: 31-8 (1st in West), Cleveland (1st in East, by % points over Orlando) Offensive Rating: Lakers: 110.4 (1st), Cleveland: 110.0 (2nd) Defensive Rating: Lakers: 102.0 (5th), Cleveland: 96.2 (1st) Rebound Rate: Lakers: 51.6 (5th), Cleveland: 52.1 (3rd) Pace: […]
A Live Blog Special: Examining Andrew Bynum
I owe Mr. Andrew Bynum a half-hearted apology. Half-hearted because he contributes more than I thought, but still has some glaring deficiencies. After the past few games, and really the entire season, I have been a little bit down on the young’n. I believed that his lack of fitness and tenacity have been hurting the […]
Preview & Chat: Orlando Magic
Records: Lakers 31-7 (1st in West), Orlando 31-8 (2nd in East) Offensive Rating: Lakers: 110.7 (1st), Orlando: 108.1 (5th) Defensive Rating: Lakers: 101.8 (5th), Orlando: 97.7 (3rd) (Orlando is the only team in the top 5 of both stats besides the Cavs and the Lakers) Projected Lineups: Lakers- D. Fish, Kobe (Big Cajones) Bryant, Vlad, […]
The Curious Career of Glen Rice
In 1989 Glen Rice entered the national basketball consciousness by scoring 31 points for the Michigan Wolverines in 1989 NCAA championship game. Rice and Rumeal Robinson would lead the Wolverines to an overtime victory of PJ Carlesimo’s Cinderella Seton Hall team. The shot was pure. The rim was a prop. The net’s movement, or lack […]
Preview and Chat: The San Antonio Spurs
Records: Lakers 30-6 (1st in West) Spurs 24-12 (3rd in the West) Offensive ratings: Lakers 113.1 (2nd in league) Spurs 108.3 (11th in league) Defensive ratings: Lakers 103.8 (5th in league) Spurs 104.3 (6th in league) Projected Starting Lineups: Lakers: Derek Fisher, Kobe Bryant, Vladimir Radmanovic, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum Spurs: Tony Parker, Roger Mason Jr., […]
Preview & Chat: The Houston Rockets
Records: Lakers 30-6 (1st in West) Rockets 24-15 (7th in West) Offensive ratings: Lakers 113.1 (2nd in league) Rockets 106.7 (KROQ) Defensive ratings: Lakers 103.8 (5th in league) Rockets 103.4 (4th in league) Projected Starting Lineups: Lakers: Derek Fisher, Kobe Bryant, Vladimir Radmanovic, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum Rockets Rafer Alston, Von Wafer, Shane Battier, Luis […]
The Lakers Defense and Other Thoughts
There seems to be some consternation in Lakers land about the team giving up 100 points to a lot of teams. Even Mark Heisler got in on the act today. This is what happens when you rely on points per game as your measure. Look at it this way: The Lakers average 95.2 possessions per […]
Preview & Chat: The Miami Heat
Records: Lakers 29-6 (1st in the West) Heat 19-16 (6th in the East) Offensive ratings: Lakers 112.8 (2nd in league) Heat 105.6 (in league) Defensive ratings: Lakers 103.0 (4th in league) Heat 105.6 (11th in league) Projected Starting Lineups: Lakers: Derek Fisher, Kobe Bryant, Vladimir Radmanovic, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum Heat Mario Chalmers, D-Wade, Shawn […]