Record: 23-22
Offense: 91.6
Defense: 92.8
Last 10: 7-3
What Vegas says: Lakers +4
Injury Update: Lamar Odom looks to be out until the All-Star break and is definitely sharing too much. “I can’t bathe properly. This morning I couldn’t put on deodorant.” Chris Mihm had a X-rays taken after the game and was diagnosed with “a mild to moderate right shoulder sprain.”
You wanted him to pass out of the double team: Brian Cook went 1 of 8, Devean George 2 of 9 and Luke Walton 1 of 6 as the Lakers not named Bryant shot a collective 35.7 percent.
“We know what kind of player Jumaine is.”: “We deserved that.” Phil Jackson lamenting the trade of Jumaine Jones is a little maddening, but he absolutely killed the Lakers last night. 30 points, 9 rebounds.
Marvin Williams or Chris Paul?: Rookie of the year candidate Chris Paul has John Hollinger pondering whether the Hawks made the correct choice in the last draft. Paul may be the ROY, but it is more common for guards to make an immediate impact before big men. Williams is raw and has only one double-double this year, but he could turn into a monster. Paul and teammate David West could give the Lakers fits tonight.
New faces and a flightless bird: The Hornets have acquired Steven Hunter from the Sixers and Aaron Williams from the Raptors, both for two second round draft picks. Chris Andersen has had his wings clipped for violating the league’s drug policy.
3 games left: Tonight’s game becomes pivotal in the face of the looming All-Star break and before that, dates in Houston and San Antonio. If they are to salvage this trip it begins tonight. Being patient and finding the positives in losses is territory Laker fans don’t like to visit.
I’m off like a Luke Walton 18 footer: Kurt will be back from the land of spam and pineapple tomorrow. Hopefully returning with the Laker’s mojo in tow. Thanks for continuing to stop by in his absence.
-Gatinho
Anon says
Good job mate.
Steve says
Dear Lakers,
Once again please play kwame and Bynum together so teams do not score 60 points in a half……..On last nights game J JOnes used to remind me of Rueben Patterson lots of energy and hustle but it seems Kupjackstupid likes slow players whos uck like Sasha…I swear I do not know why he is even a Laker….he has shown us last season as well that he just plain sucks…..hmm Jumaine Jones or Sasha….another great choice Mitch you freaken moron
steve says
well Lakers just lost again…..with all these writers complaining about Kobe taking so many shots I would rather have him shooting than Sasha I suck so bad Vujavic…….This is the worst I have seen the Lakers ever and that is including when they Had Peeler, Green, Vlade because at least they hustled so it was fun to watch even though it was considered rebuilding….this is just plain horrible…other than Kobe I would take 40 shots for the team to have a chance…….when he tries to get others involved the lakers barely win or they get killed…..The worst laker team ever!!!!! Thanks Mitch I can’t think I would rather have Sasha than Jurmaine Jones…….Please writers for the Lakers put some freaken pressure….we need a new GM….one that would have been smart like West to get Wade for O’neil rather than inconsistant Odom and throw ins…..If I was Kobe I would tell owernership to send away Sasha suckash and trade George for something……and tell the Lakers to drive ot the basket alot more
Later Show says
Couldn’t agree more with Steve above! Mitch Kupcake is a total disaster. Even tho we don’t have too many assets, if the reports are true, we shoulda move LO for Artest. Hey why not try Big Dog Glen Robinson or Spree. Forget the cap stuff, we’re waiting for who in 2007 or is it 2008 or 3007????
Totally fustrated/irritated!
Gatiho says
Correction: Dallas and Houston.
Goo says
I still don’t think the Artest for Odom deal was right for this team (kobe’s turnovers the last couple of games have atleast kind of proved Odom’s worth, and Artest isn’t exactly lighting it up in Sac). If they could move Slava’s contract for someone who will atleast make some open 3’s I think you’d see a 5-6 point scoring jump in this team…otherwise Kobe is gonna have to figure out a way to shoot within 2 seconds before the double team catches up to him…
Kurt says
For the record, both sides have said that the one untouchable Heat player in the O’Neal deal was Wade. West, as good as he is, was not going to convince Riley that Wade should be moved.
paul says
Odom has no heart. That is the problem. It’s not about stats. Points, turnovers, efficiency, blah, blah, blah. Give me a guy that makes the shot that breaks the backs of the other team and stops a run. The guy who can change momentum in a game. A guy who plays with heart. This is not Odom. No matter waht his stats are. Kobe is the only guy on the team that gets pissed off when the team looses and then goes off and works on his game to get better.
paul says
If Brian Grant were to retire, does that clear cap space for the Lakers. If that’s the case, omebody ought to pressure that chump to do so.
Goo says
Nope, Grant’s contract stays in the payroll until his contract runs out since we “cut” him, I think it ends this year though? It’s the same situation in Toronto with Zo’s contract