Some thoughts from last night, including the Grammys:
• Is there a more confounding team in the NBA than the Lakers? They get crushed by the Hornets, a team they should beat. When you think they should fold in the second game of a back-to-back at the end of a long road trip, they come out with their best defensive performance in weeks and beat surging Houston. Don’t bet on this team, you just never know who will show up.
• That said, this win should be a springboard to a hot streak — the Lakers are coming home and only two of the next 10 games are against teams over .500. Using my stolen prediction system, they should go 7-3 in that span. Then again, see the paragraph above.
• Also, last night was a great example of the way the offense should work — Kobe saw a lot of early double-teams, he gave up the ball and other guys knocked down their shots. When the Rockets adjusted, Kobe had more room and took over in the third quarter. Defense was the key, but in terms of flow offense looked better as well.
• Brian Cook the last two games: shooting 75% (eFG%).
• The Grammys are the reason TiVo was invented. This is a three-and-a-half hour show of which you want to see 30-45 minutes. Basically, I just watched U2, Coldplay trying to be U2, a wild haired Bruce Springsteen trying to be Bob Dylan, and slowed down because it looked like Kanye West raided my wardrobe.
The thing that pissed me off, we had to sit through tons of performances — like Joss Stone singing Sly and the Family Stone, because, I guess, their names are the same — so they had to cut the Richard Pryor tribute due to running out of time. Thanks for that, way to honor the man.
Fast forwarding on TiVo is the key, I can’t imagine having to sit through that crap live.
• Kwame Brown was motivated against Houston and against Yao Ming — Kwame was a +12 and Ming -12, and that was a key part of the win. Chris in the comments questioned why Kwame is so inconsistent, and what I’ve seen this season confirms stories I was told “off the record†by people close to the Washington Wizards organization — I think it’s mental. When he’s really motivated and focused, as in Houston last night, he is a solid to good player. But that focus ebbs and flows, from game to game, week to week. He seems to lack a passion for the game so evident in not only Kobe and Turaif but also guys like Mihm (who has worked hard to improve his game) and Cook (same thing).
Kwame is the classic Ebby Calvin ‘Nuke’ LaLoosh “million dollar body and a five cent head†player.
• Best photo caption I’ve seen in a long time.
• Great to see Ronny Turiaf get on the court, even if it was a minute of garbage time.
• The Phil Jackson/Mark Cuban thing is a fun little mid-season distraction for everyone. Nothing more.
• While we’re way off topic, Kobe’s new Nike commercial debuts tonight. Don’t expect a review here, but I am curious to see it.
Robert says
“million dollar body and a five cent head†player. Looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane
Gatinho says
I couldn’t keep my eyes off our Turiaf jumping up and down on the bench, esp. after Kwame’s fast break dunk. Liked his quote too, “We’re undefeated in my era.”
9 assists every game would be nice, but I would settle for around 7. Just enough to keep defenses honest. 6 steals and 0 turnovers had the Rockets’ announcers (Clyde Drexeler) saying that this was a better performance than any of the big scoring nights. (He also called Yao Ming graceful, so do with that what you will)
If only Kobe could have David Wesley guard him for every third quarter.
Dave says
Houston seemed to fit us well in terms of strengths and weaknesses, let’s hope we can keep building on this. I think memphis will also fit us well. Utah I’m worried about, as we haven’t matched up with them well historically. And of course atlanta, “the knicks south” as I like to call them, should be a guaranteed win every time. Any news on when mihm’s back? And dammit, phil, work bynum into the rotation. He deserves 10 minutes to screw up a game – his defense will improve much more quickly in game, than sitting on the bench.
Goo says
Something about Paul McCartney, Jay Z, and Linkin Park all together seemed just really bad to me…
Tony says
If any of you haven’t checked out Kobe Bryant’s article, here it is:
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/5314632
Quick thought about it. I always thought Bryant’s greatest weakness and biggest obstacle was his identity crisis.
After reading his article, I get the impression he is resolving this issue. I’ve never once thought he was or could become greater than Jordan.
But if he resolves his identity crisis, LA fans may have the next Jordan in their midst.
john says
i was pretty hyped as well about our win last night, upon further reflection it was practically given to us. van gundy’s genius move of having a midget guard kobe 1 on 1 was where we really started to pull away, no?
add in mcgrady’s recent mysterious slump, how horrible they are at home, etc…
still, the lakes showed some effort and spirit at least. good to hear the schedule will still be loose for the next ten. hopefully we’ll see some fire in all of them.
WorthyTomahawk says
If Kwame is guarenteed until 2008, then the Laker can start looking at 3yr contracts if Devean is traded. Unfortunately, there are very few role players out there to help fill the 3/4 hole we would have without Devean&Profit. Possibly Devean&Slava for …
– Malik Rose + nate robinson + picks
Still makes absolutely no sense to me.