Comments on: Tempered Exuberance http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2009/11/13/tempered-exuberance/ A Lakers Blog. Thoughts, reflections, and the odd rant on the Los Angeles Lakers and the NBA (even the Clippers). Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:41:12 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Kurt http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2009/11/13/tempered-exuberance/comment-page-1/#comment-634484 Kurt Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:03:40 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/?p=2034#comment-634484 Lakers/Nugs preview and chat up. Burgundy and others may want to repost that great stuff over there. Lakers/Nugs preview and chat up. Burgundy and others may want to repost that great stuff over there.

]]> By: Joel http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2009/11/13/tempered-exuberance/comment-page-1/#comment-634482 Joel Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:48:02 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/?p=2034#comment-634482 "Now, if I’m not going to wear No. 23, then nobody else should be able to wear it” Good grief. At least win a ring, nay, a single Finals game, before coming out with this kind of narcissistic nonsense. “Now, if I’m not going to wear No. 23, then nobody else should be able to wear it”

Good grief. At least win a ring, nay, a single Finals game, before coming out with this kind of narcissistic nonsense.

]]> By: Burgundy http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2009/11/13/tempered-exuberance/comment-page-1/#comment-634481 Burgundy Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:43:36 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/?p=2034#comment-634481 By the way, the Nuggets are a more diverse team, so there isn't as rock solid a game plan to be used against them: 1) On offense, you still have to go inside (that should be the game plan with this Laker team against EVERYONE), but the Nuggets have excellent shot blockers, so you have to be smarter about when you shoot (going straight up the way you can against the Suns will result in some blocked shots against Nene and the Birdman). 2) Assuming Melo is guarding Artest, it would be wise to stick him in the post as much as possible. Melo's offense will suffer the more he has to work on defense, and working out of the post is much more draining than guarding around the perimeter (especially against a beast like Artest). It also limits the amount of easy offense afforded to Melo. 3) Obviously, Kobe should do the same when guarded by JR Smith (who doesn't stand a chance against Kobe in the post). 4) Chase Billups away from the arc. Billups does some of his best passwork up top, because he's excellent at surveying the floor and finding the open guy. He's not as effective on the move (remember in the playoffs, once LA figured this out, and Billups was forced to drive and pass on the move, he wasn't as successful). 5) Don't take quick shots against Denver's second unit (JR Smith and Lawson), because they can fast break you to death. In regards to Lawson, he's exactly the type of guard that gives the Lakers fits (quick, shoot-first types). Shannon Brown should probably have defensive duties in this instance. The key with guys like Brooks, Parker, and Lawson (not necessarily saying Lawson is at that level) is to force them to pass by having your bigs show when they're driving (which is death against a pass-first point like Chris Paul or Steve Nash because they'll instantly find the open guy). 6) Contest on Nene's jump shots. It seems simple, but there are quite a few bigs who you WANT to shoot that 15 foot jumper. Nene is deadly when he's shooting that 10-15 footer, so you have to step out on him. By the way, the Nuggets are a more diverse team, so there isn’t as rock solid a game plan to be used against them:

1) On offense, you still have to go inside (that should be the game plan with this Laker team against EVERYONE), but the Nuggets have excellent shot blockers, so you have to be smarter about when you shoot (going straight up the way you can against the Suns will result in some blocked shots against Nene and the Birdman).

2) Assuming Melo is guarding Artest, it would be wise to stick him in the post as much as possible. Melo’s offense will suffer the more he has to work on defense, and working out of the post is much more draining than guarding around the perimeter (especially against a beast like Artest). It also limits the amount of easy offense afforded to Melo.

3) Obviously, Kobe should do the same when guarded by JR Smith (who doesn’t stand a chance against Kobe in the post).

4) Chase Billups away from the arc. Billups does some of his best passwork up top, because he’s excellent at surveying the floor and finding the open guy. He’s not as effective on the move (remember in the playoffs, once LA figured this out, and Billups was forced to drive and pass on the move, he wasn’t as successful).

5) Don’t take quick shots against Denver’s second unit (JR Smith and Lawson), because they can fast break you to death. In regards to Lawson, he’s exactly the type of guard that gives the Lakers fits (quick, shoot-first types). Shannon Brown should probably have defensive duties in this instance. The key with guys like Brooks, Parker, and Lawson (not necessarily saying Lawson is at that level) is to force them to pass by having your bigs show when they’re driving (which is death against a pass-first point like Chris Paul or Steve Nash because they’ll instantly find the open guy).

6) Contest on Nene’s jump shots. It seems simple, but there are quite a few bigs who you WANT to shoot that 15 foot jumper. Nene is deadly when he’s shooting that 10-15 footer, so you have to step out on him.

]]> By: Sedale http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2009/11/13/tempered-exuberance/comment-page-1/#comment-634480 Sedale Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:42:25 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/?p=2034#comment-634480 Is LeBron so venerable that he expects the NBA to retire Jordan's number? PLEASE! Jordan was the man, but c'mon, let's not let LeBron call the shots. Someone should ego-check LBJ. If this happens he should change his number to 00 instead of 6, that way if a future NBA star wants to declare a similarly asinine edict to retire LeBron's number, he'll only have to worry about sharing the limelight with Benoit Benjamin and not Bill Russell. Is LeBron so venerable that he expects the NBA to retire Jordan’s number? PLEASE! Jordan was the man, but c’mon, let’s not let LeBron call the shots. Someone should ego-check LBJ.

If this happens he should change his number to 00 instead of 6, that way if a future NBA star wants to declare a similarly asinine edict to retire LeBron’s number, he’ll only have to worry about sharing the limelight with Benoit Benjamin and not Bill Russell.

]]> By: Ryan O. http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2009/11/13/tempered-exuberance/comment-page-1/#comment-634478 Ryan O. Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:32:42 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/?p=2034#comment-634478 At the risk of becoming the resident Simmons pimp for today, AV Club (a book/film/TV/music site that I highly, *highly* recommend) ran an interview with him regarding his book today: http://www.avclub.com/articles/bill-simmons,35319/1/ It's interesting because it's a unique context for him. AV Club is first and foremost a pop culture nerd site; the only other thing I've ever seen written about sports on there was by Chuck Klosterman. Anyway, it's a good interview, so check it out. And if you have any interest in pop culture nerdery in general, it's a great site to frequent. At the risk of becoming the resident Simmons pimp for today, AV Club (a book/film/TV/music site that I highly, *highly* recommend) ran an interview with him regarding his book today:

http://www.avclub.com/articles/bill-simmons,35319/1/

It’s interesting because it’s a unique context for him. AV Club is first and foremost a pop culture nerd site; the only other thing I’ve ever seen written about sports on there was by Chuck Klosterman. Anyway, it’s a good interview, so check it out. And if you have any interest in pop culture nerdery in general, it’s a great site to frequent.

]]> By: chris h http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2009/11/13/tempered-exuberance/comment-page-1/#comment-634475 chris h Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:20:59 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/?p=2034#comment-634475 off topic here, but I was just thinking about when Pau does return. this will push LO to the bench, and knowing PJ, he's going to want to really limit Pau's minutes, so, the first one off the bench... LO! same team we've been going with and winning with since the start of the season. i think we'll see the bench primarily anchored by 1)LO, 2) Ron, 3) Shannon, 4) Drew, with Luke and Jordan sharing time with Josh Powell, and Sasha, depending on match ups. but really, how nice is it that when our key player returns from injury, it works perfectly into the way the coach prefers his rotations to work anyway? noooiiicccee. (props to Stu) off topic here, but I was just thinking about when Pau does return.
this will push LO to the bench, and knowing PJ, he’s going to want to really limit Pau’s minutes, so, the first one off the bench…
LO! same team we’ve been going with and winning with since the start of the season.
i think we’ll see the bench primarily anchored by 1)LO, 2) Ron, 3) Shannon, 4) Drew, with Luke and Jordan sharing time with Josh Powell, and Sasha, depending on match ups.
but really, how nice is it that when our key player returns from injury, it works perfectly into the way the coach prefers his rotations to work anyway?
noooiiicccee. (props to Stu)

]]> By: Burgundy http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2009/11/13/tempered-exuberance/comment-page-1/#comment-634472 Burgundy Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:19:23 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/?p=2034#comment-634472 HUGE, HUGE credit to Bynum on defense last night. He executed the game plan about as well as it could be executed. Every time Nash and Amare tried to work the pick and roll, Bynum stayed with Amare. Amare couldn't get his game going, because Bynum defended him so well. Consequently, Amare played D that, at best, could be described as "disinterested." The bigs not showing on Nash did result in a few floaters and layups, but that's not going to kill you when you play the Suns...and it certainly didn't kill the Lakers last night. Collins comment on Kobe in the post was also an underrated advantage. When you're stuck in the post, it's tough to get out on the break... HUGE, HUGE credit to Bynum on defense last night. He executed the game plan about as well as it could be executed.

Every time Nash and Amare tried to work the pick and roll, Bynum stayed with Amare. Amare couldn’t get his game going, because Bynum defended him so well. Consequently, Amare played D that, at best, could be described as “disinterested.”

The bigs not showing on Nash did result in a few floaters and layups, but that’s not going to kill you when you play the Suns…and it certainly didn’t kill the Lakers last night.

Collins comment on Kobe in the post was also an underrated advantage. When you’re stuck in the post, it’s tough to get out on the break…

]]> By: harold http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2009/11/13/tempered-exuberance/comment-page-1/#comment-634471 harold Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:16:23 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/?p=2034#comment-634471 wow, today starts off with a LOT of fodders for discussion, doesn't it. * LBJ on 23-6. I think it's hilarious. Out of this world, actually. Now I have no idea about the 'maturity' level of this guy. Mein Gott, "if i can't wear it, nobody else should?" Had that been Kobe, you'd get a tornado of posts about it. Anyway, I actually thought LBJ was worthy of 23... not equal, but at least worthy. * BS on Kobe: I see where he's coming from, and now it'll be more fun to read his posts as he has clarified his sports hate thing. One thing to know he's a Boston fan and thus automatically hate everything Purple and Gold, quite another to know that it's all worked up in the name of fandom. * @Denver: if it's a close game, it'll be a classic either way. I can't imagine how Chauncey and Carmelo would have been preparing for this game, and since we're at the tail end of a back-to-back (which, btw, seemed to be one of our better games last season) and a decent PF short, it wouldn't be all doom and gloom even if we lose. On our end, Artest will be pumped because he knows Melo is the reason he's a Laker and Kobe will always be Kobequately ready. wow, today starts off with a LOT of fodders for discussion, doesn’t it.

* LBJ on 23-6. I think it’s hilarious. Out of this world, actually. Now I have no idea about the ‘maturity’ level of this guy. Mein Gott, “if i can’t wear it, nobody else should?” Had that been Kobe, you’d get a tornado of posts about it. Anyway, I actually thought LBJ was worthy of 23… not equal, but at least worthy.

* BS on Kobe: I see where he’s coming from, and now it’ll be more fun to read his posts as he has clarified his sports hate thing. One thing to know he’s a Boston fan and thus automatically hate everything Purple and Gold, quite another to know that it’s all worked up in the name of fandom.

* @Denver: if it’s a close game, it’ll be a classic either way. I can’t imagine how Chauncey and Carmelo would have been preparing for this game, and since we’re at the tail end of a back-to-back (which, btw, seemed to be one of our better games last season) and a decent PF short, it wouldn’t be all doom and gloom even if we lose. On our end, Artest will be pumped because he knows Melo is the reason he’s a Laker and Kobe will always be Kobequately ready.

]]> By: greencrow http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2009/11/13/tempered-exuberance/comment-page-1/#comment-634468 greencrow Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:06:42 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/?p=2034#comment-634468 The one player for the Nuggets that worries me tonight is Ty Lawson. He is fast, doesn't take bad shots and doesn't turn the ball over. Did I mention he is fast, grin. I know it was preseason but in that second game against the Nuggets Lawson made Farmar look like he was the rookie. Melo will get his 30 points on close to 30 shots, Smith,(no longer J. R.?), will make a couple of incredible plays both good and bad, NeNe will sulk when he gets outplayed by Bynum, Billups will hit a couple threes and shoot some free throws interspersed with disappearing for long stretches. We know what those guys are going to do but Lawson can change the game if the Lakers don't account for him. The Lakers are the better team so let's hope that the short night doesn't sap their legs. I am thinking that this game was circled by Phil Jackson before the season though so the blue and gold should be up for it. The one player for the Nuggets that worries me tonight is Ty Lawson. He is fast, doesn’t take bad shots and doesn’t turn the ball over. Did I mention he is fast, grin. I know it was preseason but in that second game against the Nuggets Lawson made Farmar look like he was the rookie.
Melo will get his 30 points on close to 30 shots, Smith,(no longer J. R.?), will make a couple of incredible plays both good and bad, NeNe will sulk when he gets outplayed by Bynum, Billups will hit a couple threes and shoot some free throws interspersed with disappearing for long stretches. We know what those guys are going to do but Lawson can change the game if the Lakers don’t account for him.
The Lakers are the better team so let’s hope that the short night doesn’t sap their legs. I am thinking that this game was circled by Phil Jackson before the season though so the blue and gold should be up for it.

]]> By: jodial http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2009/11/13/tempered-exuberance/comment-page-1/#comment-634467 jodial Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:05:47 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/?p=2034#comment-634467 I don't quite understand why LeBron wants the NBA to retire Jordan's #23. He really didn't have that distinguished a Laker career. http://www.checkoutmycards.com/CardImages/Cards/025/137/07F.jpg I don’t quite understand why LeBron wants the NBA to retire Jordan’s #23. He really didn’t have that distinguished a Laker career.

http://www.checkoutmycards.com/CardImages/Cards/025/137/07F.jpg

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