Tonight’s the first Laker preseason game is against Golden State from Hawaii and at 10 p.m. (Pacific) and you can bet I’ll be in front of the television — either watching the game or my Tivo’d Rome from Sunday.
See, the first three Laker preseason games are not being broadcast here in Southern California because KCAL (channel 9) and the Lakers couldn’t reach an agreement on the additional games. Basically, KCAL didn’t want the added expense of getting crews in place and feeds set up from Hawaii.
However, all is not lost for us in So Cal if you have DirecTV or Dish Network you can get the game on a free preview of the NBA’s League Pass. Same for those of us with digital cable, allegedly, although last night when I tried to find where it would be shown I couldn’t figure it out on my system (Time Warner). My best advice is to light a candle in a church on your way home tonight then search around for it if you have cable.
The rumor is the game will be shown in the Bay Area on that area’s Fox Sports Net. Also, since it’s on League Pass theoretically people in other parts of the nation can catch it, too.
If you do watch it, post comments on what you see and think below.
One thing you may see is Luke Walton in the starting lineup. Phil Jackson suggested that was a possibility yesterday — a lineup of Odom at the point (or point/forward, if you prefer), Walton at the two, Kobe at the three, Kwame at the four and Mihm at the five. With the way the Lakers will run the triangle using interchangeable parts, I think this could be good offensive unit — Walton’s passing skills will be a great fit, especially if he can consistently hit 18-20 foot jumpers (Walton hit just 39.6% [eFG%] of jump shots last year and 42.6% in his rookie years, both numbers that need to improve).
My only question about that lineup — which I imagine we’ll see at points whether Walton starts or not — is who will defend smaller point guards, like Barron Davis tonight? Walton isn’t quick enough to do it. Kobe could do a good job but you will be forcing him to expend more energy on defense and risking foul trouble.
I guess we’ll find out starting tonight. If I can find the game.
Calvinist says
For what it’s worth this game will be shown up here in the Bay Area on Fox Sports Bay Area channel.
christian says
I would love to see that proposed offense out on the field because luke might not have a point guards body or skills but I do believe that he has a point guards mind, and the triangle is all about out thinking your oppenents. I can’t wait for the season to start.
john says
he was pretty amazing at times at the end of last year, when he was playing for his nba life.
young says
it was a great game. 1st qtr was pretty ugly. the full court press early on looked pretty bad but got better as the game progressed. i wish brown was more dominant in the post; he likes to hover away from the hole. baron is awesome btw. can’t say enough about him. even though i’m a lakers fan, it is nice to have alternative team to root for while living in sf.
Zach says
Luke’s hamstring problem is going to bother him all year. Let’s hope he’s out two weeks tops. Doubtful, but going to try to be optimistic.
Gatinho says
Baron played well but was obviously frustrated by Smush in the second quarter. The fact that Smush got into him was a sign that he can play a little D.
Nick says
I couldn’t find it anywhere in my league pass. I have cox, and I live in Santa Barbara. Was the game only available in LA?
Kurt says
That may be true Nick, I don’t know what happened outside LA. It did come on here, but on an InDemand/PPV channel, not the NBA network or the several places just showing the NBA League Pass promo. I had to really look for it.