The Lakers loss last night offered varying levels of frustration for everyone. In case anyone thought otherwise and needed proof, there’s no flip to switch from preseason to regular games, there’s only a path to travel to try and get better as a group. And while there were some very good individual performances, the group […]
Archives for October 2012
Wednesday Storylines
“Best thing you can do is get rid of it some dark night.” So said Jack Buggit to Quoyle in the Pulitzer-winning novel ‘The Shipping News’. That in reference to a wallowing cockeyed skiff that hapless Quoyle had been suckered into buying. There were certainly those who expected that a winless preseason would instantly shapeshift […]
Lakers/Mavericks: A Look At Individuals
The Lakers didn’t exactly open their season as spectacular as their off-season was as they fell to the Dallas Mavericks 99-91. It was a night where they couldn’t consistently get stops, shot 3-for-13 from three and an abysmal 12-for-31 from the free throw line. Like much of the pre-season, this team just didn’t seem in […]
Opening Night Preview & Chat: The Dallas Mavericks
There are three games on the docket tonight — opening night for the association! — and the Lakers just so happen to be headlining in the 7:30pm PST slot (though Heat/Celtics certainly intrigues). The opponent is the Dallas Mavericks who, like the Lakers, are a dramatically changed team heading into this new season. This Maverick […]
Lakers Season Preview: Boardwalk Empire
I wanted to do something different with my season preview this year. With the Lakers being the team from Hollywood, I wanted to take some inspiration from my television screen. I chose one of my favorite shows on right now, Boardwalk Empire. What follows are quotes from what’s been one of my favorite episodes this season, […]
Around The World (Wide Web)
From Mark Bresnahan, LA Times: The Lakers are clearly favored to win the Western Conference thanks to Oklahoma City’s stunning trade of guard James Harden. Just don’t tell them. “Let’s not fall into that stupidity from our end,” Pau Gasol said. As if expectations of the Lakers couldn’t get any larger, they just did. Oklahoma City broke up the core that […]
The Breakdown: Dwight Howard
After a nearly flawless off-season, we saw all of the Lakers flaws come to the forefront during the pre-season as the Lakers went 0-8 as Mike Brown tried to work around a new offensive system, new personnel, injuries and a roster that was simply too long with too many fringe guys. In the midst of […]
The Pau of Los Angeles
I’d like to welcome Danny Chau as a contributor to FB&G. He’ll be joining us from time to time to write on the Lakers, basketball in general and, if we’re lucky, what he ate for lunch and where he got it. Danny brings a unique and incredibly thoughtful writing voice to the game we love […]
Around The World (Wide Web)
From Andy Kamenetzky, ESPN Los Angeles: Well, this was unexpected. Not because I thought moving James Harden would be unfathomable for the Oklahoma City Thunder. I actually expected OKC to explore trade options if contract extension terms weren’t agreed upon come Oct. 31. I’ve heard people saying the Thunder should have just played out the season, then traded Harden in the […]
Fast Break Thoughts
For your weekend pleasure, some random musings (and a couple of updates) from around the basketball world and, of course, the Lakers. Let’s get to it… Dave captured the mood perfect in his Friday Forum, I think. We’re all a bit salty after a preseason lacking any wins. But saltiness is always best mixed with […]