That looked and felt like an exhibition game. Guys getting tried out at new positions (Ronnie Brewer at the four?), turnovers everywhere, sloppy defense. This whole game was played at a preseason pace with preseason energy and preseason lineups, so there is only so much you can take away from it. But here are my notes from during the game.
• Get well Phil. And seriously, you don’t need to go to Fresno Thursday. Nobody does. Stay home and rest.
• Bynum not starting, instead we get Fish, Ariza, Kobe, Odom and Gasol. Drew, you getting the message that the coaches are sending? They said it to the media then sat you at the start here. Hustle in practice matters.
• First offensive set the Lakers have Kobe post up on the left low block, and when the double comes he kicks to Pau 15 feet out on the opposite baseline. Open look and good. I liked everything about that (well, except for a risky entry pass from Ariza) and hope to see more of Kobe on the block and Pau drilling midrange jumpers.
• In the limited time he played (which is good, rest the man) Gasol showed a lot more polish and comfort with the face up game than he did last year. After several years of being forced to play back-to-the-basket he is playing like a man unshackled. And loving it.
• Bynum’s second offensive touch was a catch-and-shoot at the free throw line off a pass from Odom, and he nailed it. Just hitting that 15 footer occasionally will be a big boost for Bynum on offense.
• I loved that when Bynum entered the game they played the theme to “Welcome Back Kotter” in the arena.
• Bynum ran the floor well, getting down early on missed shots and got a couple of baskets because he got good position before his opposite number could stop him (including a dunk off a nifty pass from Fisher while sitting down). Also, as Bchamp said in the comments, he just looked confident on offense, including on a dribble drive dunk from the elbow where he got Okur mixed and drove past him. However, he was pretty average on defense.
• One thing the Lakers are doing on defense was overloading the strong side (where the ball was) and zoning off on the back side. They did that last year, hopefully they feel more comfortable doing it as the season wears on and the assignments and recognition become crisper.
• The Jazz shot just 37% in the first half, and I think that had a lot to do with the Lakers length, particularly inside. That is something we could see a lot of this year, the Lakers are a long team.
• Ariza got burned a couple times early trying to defend the athletic CJ Miles on the wing, and there was little rotation or help behind him in the paint. When Bynum came in, there was little change in that. Rotations and help were spotty all night. To be expected in the first game but the coaches had plenty to chew players on.
• Ariza looked good moving without the ball on offense and he just has a good basketball IQ and good anticipation on both ends of the floor. He’s one of those players that just seems to be constantly finding the open space.
• Hey young readers, do you ever go out for a night of drinking with friends then get home and drunk email, sending off missives to your ex you regret the next morning? Well, Gmail now has the answer.
• The pace of the game picked up when the subs got in from both teams. The starters from both sides did a pretty good job of transition defense, particularly in the first half.
• Welcome back Chris Mihm, your first assignment is to cover AK-47, who was getting the ball out on the perimeter with room to drive. That is a tough cover for Mihm in the best of times, and he is going to be in trouble with it unless they gave him a bionic leg during all those surgeries. Nope, apparently not.
• Josh Powell got that same assignment a few minutes later and showed some tenacity taking the big Russian out of his game some. Powell also showed a nice little 15 footer. He set a couple very solid picks on the perimeter. I think we are going to love what he brings, if the Lakers keep him in the 15-minute a night range.
• It felt like the season when with 9 minutes and change in the third quarter — Kobe got the ball out near the top of the key and went jab step, jab step, head fake then up with the three. Missed it, but it looked and felt like the regular season there for a second.
the other Stephen says
it’s about that time (not football season) when i beat my chest and howl at the television. damn, it’s gonna hurt.
magiclover says
If Bynum doesn’t turn into one of the best Lakers centers ever, I will be highly surprised.No disrespect to the job Pau did last year but the Lakers with Dru at center are going to be a dynasty.Looks like Pau is back at home at the PF spot, Wow, is this gonna be great.
Reed says
Disappointed in Odom, but I recognize it’s one meaningless preseason game. I am bewildered as to why the coaching staff is trying again with the failed “initiator” experiment. What positives does he bring to that role? How does that fit with his strengths? On offense, Odom has been at his best when using his speed to attack 4’s off the dribble, get out in transition, and cut to the basket when Kobe, Pau get too much attention. In this role, he averaged 16 points on 59% shooting after the all star break last year. Before the break, when he was more perimeter oriented, he averaged 13 on 48% shooting. His length, speed, and efficiency were key reasons we blitzed through the west last year.
Odom brings very particular strengths and weaknesses to the table, meaning he can be either very, very effective, or completely forgotten. I just don’t see how using him in a PG/initiator role does anything other than lead to the latter. With Drew back, I don’t know that there’s an easy answer. It’s just going to be harder to find space and minutes for Odom to play at the 4 and be integrally involved in the offense in the areas he’s most effective — as Kobe, Pau, and Bynum all offer superior skills and need to be the focus. I know the thought is that there isn’t room for Odom down low given Bynum, Gasol, and Kobe’s need for the block, but the answer can’t be to float him outside as a guard. Putting him in a guard role on offense seems like a recipe for disaster. I’m sure Phil will tighten the rotations and find Odom’s place through the year, but to me the quicker he’s used mostly as a 4 matched up with Drew or Pau, the better.
chris h says
that pass from Fish was sick! how he knew where ‘drew was in the midst of all the diving for the ball, etc…well, just friggin’ amazin’!
I’ve been saying to you all, don’t write off fish cause of his age, we dont know if he’ll start to fade, but knowing him as we have all these years, he’s only gotten stronger every year, and last night, he looked like this might be his best year ever.
it would be great to have him have such a year, not only in the ‘on the floor’ productivity, but as a team leader and vet, knowing there are going to be lots of players fighting for minutes this year, it’ll be great to have a ‘player coach’ in Fish, not unlike ol’ Harp was in the 2000 -02 dynasty.
namotuman says
bynum seemed to be looking to get off on the offensive end more so than the defensive end. he needs to get back to the mentality he had before he went down with his injury. his offense will be gravy, lakers will make hay when people know that excursions to the rack will be full of #17…….
inwit says
Random thoughts:
With 4 major players (Kobe, Gasol, Odom and Bynum), I think PJ will try to have rotations where at least 2 of them are on the court at the same time. Based on last year’s impressions, Kobe and Bynum play very well together and Pau and Odom have very good chemistry. While I do think Bynum will start, the issue of how Bynum and Pau will fit together will be somewhat minimized by rotations that center around a nucleus of two stars surrounded by complimentary role players.
Still the starting 5 will need to mesh at the beggining of games and halves and at the end of games. If it doesn’t work with all 4 on the floor, do the Lakers look to move one of them? What if Bynum and Gasol don’t mesh – bring Bynum off the bench?
Too early to tell, and last night told us nothing about it.
Seeing Powell made me feel better about losing Turiaf.
Didn’t Coby Karl committ one of the stupidest fouls you have ever seen?
bchamp says
Towards Reed’s comments on Odom:
My feelings about why the coaching staff has attempted to shift Odom to a ballhandling position are twofold.
1) He’s been a key component of the team’s success the past few years and (clearly from comments he’s made) its a big blow to his ego to be coming off the bench.
2) He’s in a contract year. You can’t just bench the guy without giving him a shot to prove he can integrate himself as a starter. Not only would it be a punch to his ego, it could potentially cost him millions of dollars on the open market.
All that said I agree as Reed suggested that Odom’s best fit on this team is in a 3 man rotation with Bynum and Gasol. Offensively, and more importantly, defensively, that makes the most sense.
I harped on this last night and I will bring it up again: I believe Odom is going to prove himself incapable of adequately defending quick perimeter players over the course of the season. Furthermore with so many other quality scoring options in the starting linuep, he’d probably be an non factor offensively with that unit.
So, it seems to me there are two likely scenarios: Either Odom accepts a role off the bench and contributes mightily, or he becomes a malcontent as his minutes and numbers dwindle. In the latter case, he will be traded. In the former case he STILL might be traded but it would be less likely.
Oh, and of course there’s always the off chance Odom proves effective as a starter in his ballhandling role… but my instincts say otherwise.
81 Witness says
Turiaf had a great game in GS on Tuesday though. I know he was playing against 2nd-3rd stringers, but still gotta miss Ronny and his energy.
I will try and watch the next pre-season game tomorrow.
inwit says
The Blazer game is on tv up here in Oregon tonight. It will be interesting to take a look at Greg Oden, et al.
Craig W. says
Reed & bchamp,
In the last thread I believe the motivation for the ball handling Odom was mentioned. Phil is giving Lamar exactly what he has asked for and wanted. If he can’t handle that then there should be less complaint when he becomes a really big gun on the 2nd team. I think many of us on this blog are coming to the conclusion that this is where things are heading.
Drew will have to grow into his minutes and Gasol will have to be handled gently at the beginning of the year. There are plenty of minutes for Lamar and even Powell and Mihm at the beginning of the year. How things work out over the year is up to the players themselves.
kwame a. says
Craig-I agree with you. I think Phil is basically setting Odom up to be moved to the bench. His effectivness at the guard spot in the tri (as Reed said) has never panned out, mainly because he lacks a consistent jump shot. I didn’t see him take a jumper last night, so I don’t know what it looks like, but I was not thrilled to hear Phil call him out for not coming into camp in shape. I’m a big Odom supporter, but he must be placed in a position to succeed for him to thrive.
Re Kobe in the post: I think Kobe, ala MJ, will be able to adapt well to playing more on the low and mid-post. He will be able to see the double coming and (if he is willing) hit people for open shots all game
That was fun to see the Lakers play last night, I kept telling myself, we should be defending champs!
J.D. Hastings says
I live in the bay area and had no way to watch the game (even if nba tv showed it, their feed isn’t working on my cable). Did Pau and Bynum spend any time on the court together? What about the ful Pau-Bynum-Lo-Kobe-Fish combo?
Darius says
Like Kwame A., I’m a big supporter of Odom. But, with any player, it’s sink or swim. I’ve never understood the need to bash Odom when he performs well in the roles that he’s asked, but if he’s asked to play a different role this year and is not able to play up to the standard expected by the coaches, adjustments must be made.
What I find interesting is Kurt’s point about Bynum and how he is feeling some of that Odom (lack of) love from the coaching staff. I know we all have high hopes/expectations for Bynum (I mean, I’ve been saying that we need to extend him before the end of this month and that he is a major piece to a championship team) but he, just like every other player needs to show that he’s commited to winning and doing the things necessary to help us win if he’s going to play the role that he (and we) want. In the end, I know that Bynum is a much more valuable piece in the short and long term to the Lakers success. But if he doesn’t get the message about going hard all the time and Phil ends up playing him with the 2nd unit, LO is going to be even that much more important as he must shift his focus back to last years role and hope that everything falls back into place the way it was during our Finals run. Just as Kurt implied, I’m still looking for answers…
Darius says
JD, what part of the bay do you live in?
J.D. Hastings says
Berkeley. You up here too?
Darius says
I live in Oakland, right by Lake(r) Merrit.
Kurt says
If Odom could mentally accept the role off the bench he could thrive (like that guy in San Antonio, what’s his name?). But, in a contract year, I think you all raise a valid question of whether he will do that. Still, I would like to think that against certain lineups we’d want that long front line defensively so I would like to see a way to get all three bigs on the court at once. But that may have to evolve over time.
And this blog seems to have a big Bay Area readership. I’m not sure why.
Darius says
On a side note, Bill Simmons wrote a great piece on Elgin Baylor that is well worth everyone’s time, imo. I know that Elgin ran the Clips for all these years, but he *is* a great, great Laker.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/081008
Brandon Hoffman says
AB updated his site today and provided a glimpe of his offseason training regimen:
http://www.andrewbynum.com/index.cfm/pk/view/cd/NAA/cdid/401340/pid/400026
Cheers.
Craig W. says
Hey, the Bay Area is a beautiful place to live – I went to school up there and also lived there for a year. If you have a job it sure beats a lot of places in the LA area – and I do love LA.
kwame a. says
Kurt-The one difference I see in Odom coming off the bench compared to Manu coming off the bench is that Manu has a set role. He is there instant offense, he can come in and look to shoot immediatley. That is not, and has never been Odom’s game. I feel that a bench players main attribute is the ability to bring dynamic impact to a certain area of the game. Odom is the exact opposite of this in that he is skilled at several things, but automatic scoring is not one of them.
Kurt says
18. You beat me to that, I’m going to link to it in a main post tomorrow. For now, if you have time, you must read the piece on Elgin.
Darius says
Honestly, it’s interesting because there are a lot of Lakers fans in the Bay. When my fiance worked for the Warriors and I got tickets to the games, the Lakers games (like the Kings games, too) were always packed with fans from the opposition. I’ve said this before but I’ve grown to like the W’s too, and root for them 78 times a year (with me hoping for glorious losses everytime they play our guys).
Kurt says
21. I was referring more to how Manu was willing to take on the role.
That said, you raise an interesting question — is Odom’s game suited to coming off the bench? What role would he fill for the Lakers there? I would assume he would be first sub for Pau or Bynum, and move into the four spot. But what about at the end of the half and the game, does he come back out for the big two? Matchups will play a part in that decision, but if you can’t ply all three who do you sit?
harold says
I went to high school in LA, then went to college in the Bay Area so I can see why there are lots of Laker fans in the Bay Area. LA is a major feeder city if you could call it that when it comes to Cal and Stanford, and most sports fan root for the teams they rooted for before college.
Anyway, our players’ versatility are causing coaching staff fits, I’m sure. Where to play Kobe? At the 2? 3? Where to play Odom? 1? 3? 4? Where to play Pau? 4? 5? How do you play all of them together?
The obvious, easiest answer would be to start pau and odom ala post-bynum-injury, then have the 2nd unit come in and play more pre-injury lineups. Send message to Bynum, check. Start Odom to manage his fragile ego, check. Get good 2nd unit (another factor in our last season’s success), check.
How our lineup will look like mid-season I have no idea, but it looks like we will have little drop off in production throughout the game once we start playing our starters 35+ minutes…
bchamp says
I think 21 hit it on the head as far as Odom not being a fill it up scorer who could provide instant offense off the bench.
25 – As far as Bynum coming off the bench I’m not sure how willing he’s going to feel about that in the long run as he is also playing for a contract. Bynum says he wants to put up 20 and 10, and if last night is any indication, he’s not going to be gun shy about casting up shots.
Frankly, I might be crazy, but is there any universe in which we could see Gasol coming off the bench if Odom/Gasol/Bynum don’t work out as a trio. Before you go nuts on me, here’s my case:
1. Gasol has the most stable ego out of the three bigs in question.
2. Gasol is the best anchor for the 2nd unit. He’s a more polished scorer than Byunm and a better shot blocker than Odom. He commands double teams and is an excellent passer who can set up teammates who don’t create their own shot as well (this means you Sasha + Radman)
3. Gasol isn’t playing for a contract. He’s been languishing in Memphis for years and is happy to be on a winning team.
4. Gasol will still play 34+ minutes and finish games, which is the most important thing anyway.
I look forward to being shot down.
Stephen says
Reed,
I think Phil has always projected Lamar as Pippen II. Unfortunately the only thing Lamar has in common w/Pippen is being extraordinarily agile for someone his size.
I also believe it’s become pretty clear that Lamar is a PF,a different kind of PF,but a PF nonetheless.(He’s the kind of player that should be playing for Don Nelson.)
I thought I saw Ariza handling the Initiator role a few times. If he can do that adequately the roster falls into place.
Phil starts Lamar at the 4 until Bynum “regains his conditioning”-which will happen to be in Jan when Phil likes to shake up the team w/such a move. Instead of one player being the Initiator the Lakers share the role w/Ariza,Kobe and Lamar doing it for the starters,Lamar and Luke for the second unit w/Kobe K doing it for third string.
muddywood says
I posted a comment to Andrew on his myspace. I hope he reads it.
It’s posted by “TrunkMonkey”
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=156677525
He needs to wake up.
P. Ami says
Oh, this is going to sound like a trade LO comment, but its not. Just adding to the Nellie bit, D’Antoni would probably poke Dolan’s eye out with his chub if he got a hold of LO.
fifthrune says
JD, I live in Berkeley as well. Have you tried viewing games online or using Torrents to get the game after it is broadcast?
JONESONTHENBA says
When you get upset with Odom, just check out games like these and remember what he did for the team during the second half of the year last season:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkZ8gFLZPYI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDHvqTxf4zE
And don’t forget how well Odom and Gasol played off of each other before the Finals:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkTzGlTKbb8
And his beautiful ability to rebound and push the ball:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wn-vqRrTJrA
JONESONTHENBA says
And I almost forgot about Odom’s big close out game against the Spurs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZL6Xt5VDVB0
sT says
@18, Darius, That was a great article about Elgin Baylor and the way the NBA was back then, I am glad I took the time to read it through.
JONESONTHENBA says
I agree with #33. That might be BS’s best column ever. Shows that he doesn’t have to stick with his usual frat boy schtick to write a good column.
Mamula says
Hollinger is tryinig to score some journalistic points with his fellow Kobe-haters. Comparing Kobe to Vince Carter… What a clown!
wondahbap says
I wonder how long until see some preview of substitution pattern. That’s what is on my mind the most. I want to know how this team is going to shape out to start the season, and Phil not being there gave us no clue what-so-ever (even though it was the first game of the pre-season).
This is almost like Tiger Woods, when he re-makes his swing. We’ll be a different team, but better.
Kurt says
36. Having watched Phil for years now, it may be January before we see a steady pattern for subs. He loves to tinker.
exhelodrvr says
Bchamp,
“He’s in a contract year. You can’t just bench the guy without giving him a shot to prove he can integrate himself as a starter. Not only would it be a punch to his ego, it could potentially cost him millions of dollars on the open market”
He’s sure not acting like it. Out of shape, didn’t work on his game over the summer …
Craig W. says
Do we have to find someone to bag on all the time???
Let’s see; last year it was Walton, the year before it was Bynum, this year it is Lamar.
You would think we would learn a lesson about this kind of gossip. How about constructive comments and patience? We all need to keep this in mind.
Darius says
This is the most talented team 1-15 that Phil has had as a coach. I know he’s won 9 titles, so it sounds crazy, but it’s true. The end of the bench guys on those Bulls teams and Lakers teams may have been more experienced, but as pure talents they are not better than the guys that we have now.
This will play into how Phil manages the rotations because I’m not sure if he’s ever had this type of problem. Phil loves to play 8-9 players consistently, and then pull players 10-12 out of nowhere as some sort of spark in any given game. He tried this during the Finals with Mihm (unsuccessfuly) and I’m sure he’ll want to manage this team the same way. The problem is, though, that if guys like Walton or Mihm or whoever else start to rack up DNP-CD’s how will they respond when Phil calls their number? It’s a good problem to have, but ultimately, based off Phil’s coaching style, it could still be a problem. Am I worried? Not neccesarily, but it deserves to be monitored closely. I love all our talent, and I think our depth will serve us well during the regular season (and be a contingency for any injuries) but I’m still concerned how we are going to find minutes for all the guys that deserve to play, especially our wing players. Kobe, Sasha, Ariza, Luke, Radman, Odom. Now throw in Fisher and Farmar for good measure. And though I think some of those guys can play the 4 in smaller lineups (especially Odom, as we’ve all seen) realize that Gasol and Bynum are 2 of our better players and we’re going to want them in the game. Now if we say that Odom will get the majority of those back-up PF minutes then where and when do these other guys play? Some one is going to either sit entirely or this is going to go off of feel in any given game. And I haven’t even mentioned Powell. My head hurts.
Kurt says
By the way, plans for today’s new post have been delayed by computer issues. Something new will be up later, but my flash drive seems to have eaten my plans for the first part of the day.
chris h says
Phil had some harsh words for Lo after that first game, and I have to say that I agree with him. it looked like LO was just going through the motions, like when he was out there in the 4th qtr, and Kobe and other starters were done, LO seemed like it was all about peer pressure, like he was with the square kids and not showing any leadership, or desire to out there. i was dissapointed in hie performance.
I was however, pleased with Bynum’s efforts. trevor should a lot of good stuff out there, and Josh powell really impressed me.
inwit says
Saw the Blazer game last night. True, the Warriors are not a big, physical team so it wasn’t a great test.
Oden looks strong under the hoop but most of his points (all I think) were dunks or free throws. He is aggressive on the boards and in shot blocking. He looks like he is not in great shape though.
As compared to Bynum, Oden tooks stronger and more explosive, but Bynum’s footwork and offensive moves are superior (thanks Kareem). Bynum also looks more comfortable in his teams offense, but he has much more experience in this.
It will be interesting to see how they both develope as Bynum is just starting to develope physically and Oden is rusty after his last two seasons of development being largely lost to injury.
Jeff T says
Darius,
I believe I have a workable solution for your line-up situation. It really goes back to the approach Phil took last season, with essentially two complete teams that play most of their time together. I think one key is to keep LO at the 4 in the starting unit with Gasol, and have Bynum lead the second unit where he fits well with Farmar and Sasha. Here is my line-up:
Starting 5 (same as last year):
Fish
Kobe
V-Rad
Odom
Gasol
Second Unit:
Farmar
Sasha
Ariza
Walton
Bynum
I would put Radman into the first unit to add better shooting than Ariza. The first unit would try to build a small lead, while the second unit would really try to blow away their opponents. This worked well last year, before Gasol, but Kobe was needed to play on both teams. The key is that we have two solid teams that are used to playing with each other (ala Team USA) and not randomly shuffling players together.
Kurt says
44. Still, at the end of a close game, doesn’t Gasol and Bynum have to be on the floor at the same time. Kobe Fish Gasol Bynum and Odom/Ariza/Radman (depending on the matchups) seems like the best five, and you need that for the last three minutes against the Hornets or someone. Don’t we?
Craig W. says
Jeff T,
How about Josh Powell? I would probably play him with either unit (1st to add power on the boards or 2nd in place of Walton). Now Walton becomes strictly a situational player or replaces Vlade if he doesn’t get it done.
The last 5min of close games probably sees Fish/Farmar, Kobe, Ariza, Gasol, Bynum because we need to just overpower the opposition (Farmar, Kobe, Ariza, Gasol can run and Fish, Kobe, Bynum can power).
Yes, Kurt, this would mean we really have 3 teams that learn to play together, but isn’t that the case most of the time anyway?
Darius says
#44. Jeff,
What you’re saying makes sense. However, as Kurt said, end of the game situations will definitely disrupt tidy line-up groupings like the ones you mention. Also, my other concern is that we’re not going to be substituting 5 players at a time in order for these groups to play together on an almost exclusive basis (just look at last season where Phil tried to keep his substition patterns the same: Kobe comes out at 1 min left in the first quarter, Odoms comes out with 8 min left in the 2nd quarter, etc…which already starts to shuffle personel groupings). At the end of the day, players minutes are going to get squeezed or be non-existent. And when you squeeze a players minutes, especially players that are used to getting good minutes throughout their careers (like Radman or Walton), you may not get the best out of those players when their court time is limited or jerked around. This also holds up if players go several games playing sparingly or not at all and then are asked to come in to the game in specific situations and perform their best. Guys like Jud Bueschler or Randy Brown might be able to play under these circumstances, but can Radman? Can Luke? Can Mihm?
I’m not going to go into any trade scenarios (and frankly I think it’s irresponsible to talk about trades when we’re already in camp but haven’t seen any real lineup developments), but we have a lot of players that deserve minutes, but there are only so many minutes to go around. In some ways, I think it’s easier to have 8-9 really good players and then have 6-7 marginal/specialist type players in order to set your rotation and easily define every players role. And in the end, we may see a reshaping of this roster if roles can’t be defined in a manner that gets the best out of everyone. Don’t get me wrong, give me the most talented team with 12 guys who could all be starters and let me work out that *problem*. But, these guys are not machines that run the way we want at our beck and call. These guys are humans, have good days and bad, have egos, and all want to play a strong role on a team that wins. I don’t know how Phil’s going to do it quite yet, but he’s going to have to figure out not only how to have everyone playing the way he wants (as evidenced by his quotes to media about Odom and Bynum) but also how to manage their minutes while still maximizing that high level of play, while also trying to win every game. For these reasons alone, he’ll be earning his paycheck this season.
Davis says
Yes! Game’s in Fresno tonight! This is the biggest thing to come to my town since, well, last year’s game pre-season game in Fresno…
J.D. Hastings says
30- Not for preseason I haven’t. For reg season I buy the package. Its not cheap the first time you get it, but afterwards, its kind of impossible not to have it.
I’ve always noticed the large Laker contingent in the bay area but took it as a sign of the heavy traffic between the two areas. I know a huge number of LA transplants up here, which I think is part of what drives some of the local animosity towards all LA teams. On the other hand its easy to like the Warriors because they’ve never really been a threat.
But when we got Gasol during the road trip last year, it became very clear that there is just a large Laker Nation everywhere. In every road game at one point or other it seemed like a “Let’s Go Lakers” chant was started.
I guess the weather is just generally fair in Lakerland.