I don’t think this can be stressed enough — starting 7-1 means there is little going wrong with the Lakers. That is a 72-10 pace if you can keep it up for a season, so let’s not overreact to one game.
Along those overreaction lines, the simplistic media meme out of the Lakers first loss of the season was “they are still not tough enough.” But I don’t see how you get to that conclusion, unless you went in looking for that answer. The Brothers K at the LA Times Lakers blog summed up the toughness thing well:
…but the Lakers were hurt equally, perhaps more, by (Detroit’s) small, nearly postless lineup that relied on penetration on the perimeter and excellent ball and player movement to take advantage of defensive breakdowns. LA dominated the battle for second chance points (16-9) and points in the paint (52-30). They had 16 offensive rebounds, besting their season average.
To me, the apparent lack of toughness was a symptom of a poor night of defense. The Lakers did not keep the helpline where they wanted it, they were not aggressive with their traps.
That was one the things seen by one of this site’s best known posters, Kwame a., when he was at the game Friday:
1. The Pistons spread us out well. They ran the high screen and roll with AI and either Sheed or Kwame. What I was impressed with is how they got the ball into the middle of our defense. This was the first game a team consistently compromised our defense in that way.
2. The Pistons made lots of shots, I was amazed at some of the ones Tayshaun and AI hit over our defenders. They did get a fair share of open looks off penetration, but they made shots too, credit to them.
3. Darius touched on this after a different game, but it was really evident last night- the ball dies too much in the halfcourt with the starting unit. Not only Kobe, but with Pau as well. We need to move the ball more in the halfcourt. A big part of the problem was simply not making shots.
4. I was a little disappointed in Drew Bynum’s lack of discipline and focus on defense. He floated over to a position where he was slowly attempting to double prince on the strong side. This let Kwame gain deep position and get easy hoops on ball reversals. This was partly Bynum’s fault, but the team as a whole did not rotate well. Of course, rotations look slower when the other team is making its shots, and spreading out our D.
Darius added to that:
I noticed Drew not being in good position on the baseline as well. Our traps simply were not there against the Pistons. Part of that was that the initial defender was not doing a good job of shading the offensive player and directing him to the trap, but the second part of that was the strong side big not closing down the baseline effectively and shutting down the penetrator. I remember one play in particular where Prince went baseline and Bynum didn’t step up effectively, letting Prince get all the way to the basket and do that reverse two handed jam on the other side of the basket. Needless to say, our defense was not sharp against the relentless dribble attack of the Pistons. Sure, Detroit hit a lot of shots (and I know that can lead to more frantic close outs and the want to crowd the ball handler more; both of which lead to easier penetration) but we still need to play with more discipline and energy on defense. Last night it just wasn’t there.
But, it was one loss in eight games. The Lakers have a few days off to absorb that loss before they try to start a new streak against Chicago. Kwame a. said the same thing after the Detroit game.
The Lakers will be alright. This will be good tape to show them to keep them from getting to hight on themselves.
Kurt says
By the way, regarding the “is Odom pissed” debate, I think Ziller hit the nail on the head at Fanhouse:
But are we really at the point to be psychoanalyzing every L.O. interview and play and dismissive wave? I mean, Lamar Odom has been waving to coaches dismissively for almost a decade! This sulking isn’t particularly new or surprising behavior. Odom’s the type of player who will let you know he’s not happy when he’s not happy. Let’s give him some space and wait for th eventual occurrence.
Darius says
I’ll take 7-1 too, Kurt. We really can’t expect the team to win every game, nor can we expect a full season to play out without any controversy/bad team play/poor individual performances/etc. In the end, it still sucks to lose though, and very frustrating to watch us not play very well. Personally, I’ve always been the type of fan that can take a loss when we play well but the other team plays better. In those situations, you tip your hat and move one. In the Pistons game, not only did the Pistons play well (which we give them credit for) but we executed poorly on top of that and did not play anywhere near our potential. Those are the games that have me yelling at my tv.
Also, I don’t buy that Odom is pissed at anything more than losing. The game wasn’t even close until the final couple of minutes and this game against the Pistons mirrored the game against the Celtics in the Finals where Odom sat out most of the 4th quarter when we were down big and we went to a shooting line up. Odom will not close out every game…circumstance will dictate that. And I’m sorry, it’s a *contract year* not a *contract game* so I really wish the media would not bring up Odom’s contract status at every bad turn during/after any given game.
PeanutButterSpread says
Simply summed, lazy reporting from the media as usual.
When Lakers win, they’re invincible … when they lose, they’re soft.
So that means 3/4 of the league is soft … right?
noooo it just means only the Lakers are soft.
I really hate this soft label that the media keeps relying on. And the LA Times writers certainly are not helping to stem it.
It’s getting obnoxious.
JONESONTHENBA says
The Lakers are already a very good team. But once Bynum fully recovers to the point that he is catching and dunking lob passes again, the Lakers are going to be freaking scary. If you watch Andrew, he is no where near where he was last year. I say he’ll be back by the end of December. That was around the time that Amare Stoudemire started throwing down thunder again in his first season back from his knee surgery.
Also, I wrote about this on FanHouse, but I doubt the Pistons will be able to keep that performance up for the entire season. The key in that performance was Rasheed Wallace, and he hasn’t been able to give a consistent effort since 2004. Now if he is able to give that kind of effort and production consistently, the rest of the league is in trouble.
harold says
We could be soft as icecream and I wouldn’t care one bit if we just beat Boston in the finals.
I’m sure I’m not the only one thinking this here but for some reason Fisher really is shooting too much. I guess there is indeed a need to spread the floor a bit, but having him hoist nearly as many shots as Kobe is taking things a bit too far.
Chise says
I agree pretty much and there really is no reason to overreact to one loss on a night where we really didn’t play well on either end of the floor and the Pistons shot extremely well. That being said, I think 8 games is a good enough sample size to bring up this point: Radman is giving us nothing at all. He does not add anything positive to the game. He doesn’t rebound, doesn’t defend that well, and isn’t scoring. If he isn’t at least hitting open jumpers, he’s useless, a waste of space. I do not get for the life of me why Phil did not even give the LO/Gas/AB front court a good faith chance to succeed. At least with Odom, he could rebound, defend better than Radman, provide versatility on offense, and be a positive influence on the game. Being the 3rd/4th banana on the first team as opposed to the 1st or 2nd option on the second unit is a better place for both his game and his confidence level. Not only that, it would give Odom more of a rhythm by starting the game. It would also make for better substitution patterns and let’s face it, LO could play 38-40 minutes per game if needed. With 6 of the next 7 at home, I don’t see a better time than now to tweak the line-up and see what you can get from this extremely athletic and long line-up. I’m just completely dumbfounded as to why Phil seems to love Radman so much.
exhelodrvr says
6) “I’m just completely dumbfounded as to why Phil seems to love Radman so much.”
Overall Vlad has played solidly so far this season. Much better defensively than in previous years, and shooting well, too. When he is hitting his shots it makes things significantly easier for the offense. You will never get that with Lamar, plus if you start Lamar you lose the ability to always have 2 of the 3 best “bigs” on the floor at the same time. Give Vlad some time to see if this is just a mild slump.
Warren Wee Lim says
A frustrating loss like that brings you back to Earth that not every team will look at you with awe and just bow down. This is the good side of that loss, and yeah, I’ll take it over any 5-3 team right now.
Upcoming Sked:
CHI
@PHO
DEN (2nd night of back-to-back but at home)
SAC
NJ
DAL
TOR
14-1 anyone?
Pinky says
Kwame A.’s first point should be “compromised”, not “comprised”.
The Lakers defense was definitely compromised by Detroit’s players.
busterjonez says
I guess we aren’t going 82-0. But we aren’t really playing this for the regular season.
The bright side of this situation is that our team has added two critical players relatively seamlessly. Ariza and Bynum figure to play important roles for the rest of the season as well. Getting blown out at home always leaves a bad taste in your mouth, especially when the team is coming off a long game the night before (hello, Hornets).
The ball movement in that game didn’t look as crisp, but some of that is the defense of the Pistons. On defense, the big man stepping out to hit the three kills us. Shooting over the top has the capability to put a hurt on our defense. Normally, to get the wide open looks, the other team will have to quickly swing the ball. Rasheed loves that shot, and can get it off against nearly anyone. He hit 44% from three and pretty much ate our collective lunch. Even though it’s only one game, it’s good to see the Lakers’ defense tested.
Phil is probably loving this right now.
MacBSlick says
Seriously no panic here at all. Ive been through 30 seasons of Laker BBall now and have seen to much to panic this early in the season. I just want our Bigs to be assertive and have a mindset of dominance. You come at me Im going to come back harder.
Kobes a great example of how I want these guys to play. He rarely if ever gets beaten in the post. Hes
aggressive as hell down there and fights tooth and nail when he gets to his spot. When hes got it he demands the ball. The Bigs need to be the same way. Im going to dominate YOU your NOT going to dominate me!
Was just reading the Times and Bynums wanting to be more aggressive in the post .
“I really haven’t been attacking, so I’m going to start attacking on the block,” Bynum said. “Over all the games, I really haven’t scored much on the block play.”
Most of Bynum’s offense has come on screen-and-roll plays and lob passes.
He wants to become more of a force inside.
“So, I’m going to try to attack the basket a little bit more,” Bynum said
Thats great news. I just hope Kobe and Fish as leaders of this team get him the ball more. That will really help thier own games as well. If Bynum and Pau have sucess in the post the doubles will start coming thier way which will open the floor up for Kobe and Fish.
Anyways great post Kurt you all have a good night.
RHYbread says
Ariza was open a couple times during the game and instead of taking the open three/long two elected to drive. He needs some more confidence in his shot, especially since some of the preseason reports had him practising hard on it.
Suriously says
I thought that was a good loss. We didn’t get blown out, but we learned some invaluable lessons. It was a matter of time before a team picked apart the holes of the Lakers defense.
The interest will be in seeing how these Lakers respond. Will they come out with renewed intensity or will they sulk?
DK says
I’m a huge Laker fan – have been from Jerry West days; however, not like most of you where you understand all the ins and outs of basketball. I was really concerned when we lost to Detroit as it reminded me of that horrible Game 6.
I know it’s a big debate as if we’re still too soft and my vote is that we still are. I saw no intensity – no heart in this past game. Radman is a waste. Fish was just chucking it up at will with no play in mind. How can our bigs lose to Kwame? Sorry, some of this is just venting and hoping that our guys come out with guns blazing for a full 48 minutes against the Bulls.
Also, how do the Suns beat the Pistons so easily? I didn’t see the game but know that Shaq got ejected…they nearly beat Detroit by 20? Also, don’t really remember the past conf finals but didnt’ KG make Sheed look weak? But when Sheed plays us he seems to always do well.
To me, I would have rather seen us crush this Detroit team on the 2nd game of a back to back, adjusting to AI…and then lose to a team under .500. At least we would know that we’re not soft and we can take care of teams that will bang us around in the post season.
Kurt says
DK, you can pull one game out of any season and say “they look soft” or whatever conclusion you are trying to reach. I can pick several games of the first round of the playoffs last year and say the Celtics don’t know how to play defense, and based on that one game be right. What matters is the totality of the season and the playoffs. Not one game.
DK says
Kurt, First of all I love this blog! I am beginning to pick up some bball knowledge just reading the comments. As for your comment, I agree that one game does not define the team – but didn’t you get that pit in your stomach while watching that game that maybe (just maybe), we should have picked up someone like Artest? (Sorry, not trying to bring back old issues that have been endlessly argued about) I realize that some of it was just luck (Sheed’s 3 point bank shot…Kwame’s bank free throw)…but then it appeared that our guys lost confidence and started feeling sorry for themselves? So Fish starts chucking up balls, Odom and frustration fouls, Farmar getting burned and tries to redeem himself on the other end and makes it worse)
I know this is just the beginning and it’s a long season – maybe I just expected too much. We all know it wasn’t going to be a 82-0 season but I really wanted them to come out fighting against Detroit. I hope they learned something and will make the proper adjustments as we get closer to that Dec 25 game. (I know 7-1 is awesome, how much adjusting do we need?)
But like you mentioned – “what matters is the totality of the season and the playoffs”. I agree!! But to me the Lakers have not shown that they can beat the teams that will bang us around. Bynum and Ariza were supposed to be that answer. (Ariza is awesome!!!)
Pinky says
DK – Houston is a rather physical team, and the Lakers seemed to respond that challenge very well. Also, I think that Utah was one of the more physical teams in the league last year, and the Lakers did fine against them as well. I think that the “softness” of the Lakers is a very convenient story, one that is used as a crutch for people looking for a simple answer when the Lakers lose.
Darius says
Detroit was one game. There were several factors (their timely shooting, our defense being a step slow all night, Kobe and others missing shots that in another game go in, etc) that conspired to make that one game kinda fluky, imo.
However, there are trends so far this season that I’d like for us to clean up. And 2 factors (that really go hand in hand) are our off ball movement (cutting and screening) and our passing. I’ve harped on this early this season, but I’m going to keep repeating it until I really start to see a change for the better. If we’re going to go back to being a highly efficient offensive team (like last season) we need to start running the Triangle with purpose. We need to (on every play in the half court that early offense is not blatantly available) run our sets and get back to the cutting, screening, passing team that forces the defense to defend everybody. This season, we’ve relied more on the P&R, dribble penetration, post isolations (from Pau, Kobe and Bynum), and offensive rebounding to score our points in the halfcourt. This has been effective because we have some really good players. Kobe is obviously tremendous. And Pau is one of the more skilled one on one offensive post players in the game (his combo of mid range jumper, first step, and ability to finish with either hand is truly unique). You add Bynum to this mix and his burgeoning offensive game (jump hooks, improving face up jumper, ability to catch and finish on the move) and we have enough talent to beat most teams just by going one on one. We can force the defense to react to dribble penetration (opening up interior passing and ball rotations to open shooters) and force the defense to double the post (opening up the same things + offensive rebounding chances) and just kill the opposition because most teams don’t have the individual defensive talent to guard our main offensive players when they are on an island in isolation sets. But, some teams do have that talent (and scheme) and some nights our guys won’t have their best games. Detroit is one of those teams (Wallace, Kwame, and Prince are all above average one on one defenders and they happen to match up with our key 3 players). Boston is the same way (Pierce-very improved over the past 2 seasons, KG, and Perkins). When we face teams like this, we’ll have nights where our individual talent will win out, but we’ll also have nights where it won’t. On those nights where our guys struggle, we *should* also always be able to run our sets, execute and get the type of looks that we will not miss.
My overall point is, we should not be relying so much on our talent. We should be relying more on our sets. Kobe’s been getting some really good looks this year off of these sets (as Kurt pointed out in a post a couple of games back), but on a lot of nights (for long stretches) the ball is sticking too much. I really want to see us improve in this area. I’m still waiting for a game where our execution (and not just our talent) leads us to a 20 point win.
Snoopy2006 says
It’s interesting, though. I would have that of all teams, if you had to pick 1 team to install a new defensive system, I would have said that the Lakers would have been the last team to drop off offensively. Just because of the precision and flawless execution the triangle brings, and the fact that our core guys now know the triangle inside and out. But I think that’s why very few teams in the history of the league have been the league’s top team offensively and defensively (the late 90s Bulls come to mind).
Snoopy2006 says
^sorry, should say “I would have thought”
JR says
To be honest I didn’t see ‘soft’ at the end of that game, I saw frustration and fire. How many other teams just get blown out when there is little to no chance of winning? The Lakers were at that point and fought to the end. Disappointed with the earlier play but impressed by them not giving up.
DTC says
It was an unusual game in many respects. One was the poor choices made both offensively and defensively. And the good thing about this is that you can learn from your mistakes, and make better decisions in the future.
On defense, some of you already pointed out the issue of where help defenders are positioned. Another is choosing whom and when to double – Like when sheed was posting up Pau. Sheed had not scored a single 1 on 1 basket, and they were nailing outside shots. Yet our guys doubled, over-committed and didn’t recover to the perimeter. They forgot the goal of doubling: to disrupt the post player’s scoring move WITHOUT leaving the perimeter wide open. Plus, which shot is easier, a Wallace fadeaway over the long arms of Gasol, or an open three?
On offense, too, I found myself thinking many times throughout the game: “Was that really the best shot our offense could have gotten?” Our guys seemed pressed, and with just a little bit of daylight they would launch threes and long twos, as if they didn’t trust the offense and ball movement to generate something better. They were impatient. But some nights even impatience works out, because our team has so much firepower. Unfortunately, Friday night was one of those nights when they were just missing shots, period. Kobe’s midrange jumper coming off of a screen is usually money – and he was missing 80% of those.
kenny says
I think one aspect of zone defense, or as Kurt put it, “Strong side zone” is leaving the weak side wing/perimeter open, as Phil once talked about. I feel that is is a big gamble, and the only way to resolve is to (1) completely cut off the passing lane or (2) recover fast enough to the wing.
This issue wasn’t just exposed in the game vs the PIstons, as I have watched every single game this season. Denver NUggets, LA Clippers had a bunch of wide-open 3s, but just couldn’t make it. Though overjoyed with the Lakers VIctory, I knew someday it would come back and haunt us, because not every team misses all the open 3s.
Anyone has insight on how to stop this?
Craig W. says
DK,
BBall is a game of matchups and Darius put it very well – Boston and Detroit match up with our strengths very well, while most other teams do not. It is in these games that we most need the triangle offense to function well because the triangle sets up the defense, as well as being an offensive formation.
With our use of the 1-on-1 offense ‘because we can’ against most teams we lose our ability to fall back on the triangle when necessary. The impacts our defense when the 1-on-1 fails.
kas says
soft or not i think this year fisher is shooting far too much and is given too much of a green light.
10.3 shots a game compared to gasols 11.8 and bynums 8.3.
i’d like to see fisher in the 7 shots a game range, but thats just me.
Samy says
Perhaps the most critical element of the game was how quickly the offensive boards stopped being found after a dominant first quarter.
How does this team find a way to flip the switch of intensity back on in key moments in the game? I didn’t see Kobe get anyone fired up… nor did I see Fish…..
inwit says
The Pistons shot the lights out against the Lakers and missed the same shots last night at Phoenix. It’s the NBA regular season, sometimes there is no rhyme or reason to it.
kwame a. says
27-Exactly. If you watch the game, the Pistons didn’t beat us up inside, yea they controlled our bigs better than most, but our bigs had a solid game. The loss can be squarely attributed to the Pistons “making shots” and the Lakers “missing shots”. It wasn’t anything deeper than that, and in a 7 game series I would expect the Lakers to get to 4 wins first.
Darius says
I should also add a comment to my previous post:
The Triangle has isolations built into it (every offense does). When we were winning titles (or when the Bulls were w/ Jordan) isolations were always run for Shaq on the low block, Kobe on the wing and in the post, and Jordan (everywhere). So, I’m not saying that we shouldn’t be running isolations. We have gifted scorers on this team that should get these one on one chances to score and/or create for others. However, my biggest gripe is that the off ball player movement when the ball goes into these isolation sets is not strong or crisp enough right now. So while we have (for example) Pau on the low block, the other players are either standing around and watching too much or they are going through the motions of the offense without any real purpose or urgency. I think we’d be better off on offense if all the players were playing with the same urgency that the player with the ball is playing with.
Joel says
#27 and #28 took the words right out of my mouth.
Detroit simply made an unusually high percentage of their jumpers. Sometimes that’s because they worked to get good looks, but they also hit some tough, tough shots.
On the other end, the Lakers went through long stretches where their shots simply weren’t falling. Again, credit Detroit for being able to put the pressure on our guys, but on most nights you’d expect to see more of those find the bottom of the basket.
Teams tend to look bad in defeat. I think we’ll be fine.
Bill Bridges says
Well I was about to write a comment about the offense but Darius just about covered all of my points!
If the first half of the season can be devoted to experimentation such as determining the rotation and the best fit combos, we are now a fifth of the way through this stage. I would strongly urge that Phil devote the second fifth to ward a different set of lineups and rotations.
If we discount the 3 games against the Clippers and Mavs and the first game against Portland (where they were obviously affected by first game jitters and the loss of Oden). The Lakers are 3 – 1. During many of these games and even against Dallas and the Clippers the starting unit put the Lakers in a hole to climb out of.
The first unit is just not working as well as the rest of the rotations. I would contend that the balance is wrong. The notion the Vlad’s 3 point shooting “opens” up the court for Pau and Bynum just has not worked out. What would really open up the court is a few possessions that the Lakers actually run the triangle to the 2nd or 3rd options possibly resulting in a corner three for … Pau! (who apparently beats Sasha regularly in 3 point shooting in practice). Or running the triangle’s corner sequence resulting in a pass in from the corner to Bynum who’s sealed his man for the dunk (remember Fox to Shaq?)
A quick examination of players’ tendencies may shed some light.
1. Kobe does not play well without the ball. His best position in the triangle is the mid post (right block). He has rarely been seen in this position this year.
2. Fisher. Does not play well without ball except to rotate for open 3’s. He shoots 40% lifetime on layups but insists on disproving Einstein’s observation about insanity. When hot is a good catch n shooter but also likes to dribble and shoot. Will keep shooting , hot or not.
3. Bynum’s a low post player. Best initiation point is low left block.
4. Pau’s best initiation point is low left block. but also right high post.
5. Vlad … Not good without the ball except like Fisher sliding on the perimeter for open 3’s . Very unreliable finisher at the rim.
The starting 5 then has 3 players who like playing with the ball in Kobe, Pau, and Fish. Nobody who really plays well off-the ball. And no slasher other than Kobe. As Kobe has basically decided not to slash this year, there is no slasher in the starting 5. (In the 1st quarter, Kobe is playing “facilitator”, and in the 4th, he seems to be relying almost exclusively on jump shots – blame it on the long season, or his age… but that he is taking it to the hole less is obvious)
This composition creates a few problems. The triangle requires players to catch, read, pass, and move. All 5 players rotate around until one has a good shot. Both Pau and Kobe’s natural inclination is to catch and hold the ball and look for cutters. Fisher and Vlad are drifting on the perimeter (and if they were to cut , you wouldn’t want to pass it them). Bynum has not been establishing deep low post position to be a position to receive the ball.
The result, stagnation, short shot clock, shots out of rhythm.
Time to change the mix.
1. Ariza for Vlad. You get excellent movement off the ball. A slashing finisher to receive Pau and Kobe and as good a 3 pointer as Vlad – at least from the corner.
2. Sasha for Vlad. Kobe moves over to 3. This is the line up I believe to be the best against Boston. Sasha runs around covering Ray, Kobe plays Pierce. Sasha is much more aggressive than Vlad and much more consistent. Kobe initiates much more from an attacking position.
3. Luke for Vlad. Can’t be any worse . Remember the start of the 3rd against NOH? Vlad had a sequence of ignomy – turnover on first possession, foul, missed 3 etc…
At least Luke would keep the ball moving in the triangle.
4. LO for Vlad. LO became quite proficient at slashing to the rim and receiving passes from Pau.
I would also replace Fish, but JAckson would never do this. In vlad and fish we have two inconsistent perimeter shooters who are not good finishers and only average at best moving with out the ball. In Pau and Kobe we have two play makers looking to find non-existing cutting teammates.
Time for the second phase of the experiment….
kwame a. says
So…does the leauge sanction/suspend/oust Mark Cuban now that he he’s been accused of going Martha Stewart?
kwame a. says
31- I wouldn’t be surprised to see Luke get some of Vlad’s PT over the next few games.
I agree that a lineup with Sasha in it would help the Lakers, but against Boston I just think Kobe is too small to guard Pierce (or most big SF’s). This is why I like having Trevor. If anything, I would like to see Sasha get some time at the 1. That would let Kobe stay at the 2 on defense, but still allow Sasha to help open up the court for our bigs.
wondahbap says
Our record will be awesome this year. We all know that. What is most important is just improving on focus. We’ve seen improved focus and commitment to defense, but there’s obviously room for improvement, and I think we won’t really see where we stand until we play Boston on Christmas.
By then , Bynum will be in the groove, and his play aginst Perk will really tell where we’re at. It’s still early, but I think Drew is settling for position too often, and not really being forceful enough in establishing it. He is relying too much on length, and forcing some shots. We need him and Pau, and LO to take it to KG and Perk, in be forceful in doing so. They cannot allow them to dictate how the Lakers will run their offense., and we must show that we can limit PP from driving to the hole, and closing out on Ray Allen, and not giving him wide open looks, meanwhile taking his drive away. This game will mean something to both team, so it will give us a measuring stick to see how much they’ve really progressed. They should have what they want to do well established by then.
Kurt says
I just bumped Bill Bridges comments up into their own new post. They deserved it and a broader discussion.
Kurt says
32. That is going to be very interesting.
magiclover says
One comment….free throws made Detroit 29, lakers 11
passerby says
the ball is round and so is the season. just look at the warrior’s undrafted surprise scoring 37. that won’t happen on a regular basis. so will laker losses. GO LAKERS!
steven v says
DET won because they shot the ball well.
Our bigs did not get outplayed. Kwame did not burn Drew.
Sheed put up 4-9 3’s. That’s 12 points of his 25. Take those 3’s away and he ends up with 13 points for the night.
We had a bad night of offense and a bad night of defense.
nothing more.
nothing less.
stop looking into things that deep. have confidence that this team will play well the remainder of the season.
I care about what happens in June.
Not November!!!!!
Zohan says
Lakers will be okay, as long as your fans stop smelling the opposing players. this is hilarious!! freaky LA fans. love it.
http://hoopsoup.com/2008/11/18/some-chick-smells-tayshaun-princes-neck/