From Janis Carr, OC Register: Lakers fans don’t need much incentive to head to the exits early, and Sunday’s game against the Golden State Warriors did little to keep them in their seats for the entire 48 minutes. Besides, each fan was set to receive a crystal Chick Hearn commemorative paperweight as they exited the building. So with five minutes to play and little reason to stay, Staples Center began emptying as the Lakers put the finishing touches on another historic night and a 117-89 victory. On a night when the team honored their late famed broadcaster, the Lakers put this game “in the refrigerator” long before halftime. They led, 69-41, at the half.
From Jeff Miller, OC Register: They might be only the NBA’s second-most celebrated Big Three, and as such their union was deemed unworthy of a made-for-bad-TV infomercial. LeBron James had “The Decision.” Shannon Brown, Steve Blake and Matt Barnes only made their decisions. With muted hysteria, silent hyperbole and no commercial breaks. Each opted to be a Laker this season, and so far no one has tweeted hatred, suggested race was a factor or made a complete donkey of himself.
From Mike Bresnahan, LA Times: The Lakers aren’t exactly a picture of health these days, but their opponent on Sunday night lent plenty of credibility to the axiom that things can always be worse.?? The Golden State Warriors limped into Staples Center and stumbled out of it after getting drubbed by the Lakers, 117-89.?? It was bad enough for the Warriors that they played without power forward David Lee, sidelined because of an infection in his left elbow, but then they lost the NBA’s second-leading scorer, Monta Ellis, who crashed hard after a missed shot and sustained a bruised hip early in the third quarter.?? The Lakers, not the types to sympathize with opponents these days, buried the Warriors, leading by 16 after the first quarter, 28 at halftime and 35 through three quarters.
From Mark Medina, LA Times: Lakers Coach Phil Jackson approached lectern at a loss of words. “I don’t know what to say,” he said. That’s because he mostly uses his opponent statements to address poor habits the team displayed or area he would like sharpened up. But, really, what are you going to complain about the Lakers’ 117-89 victory Sunday over the Golden State Warriors? The Lakers (12-2) extended their four-game winning streak. The team featured four players in double figures. They shot 55.7%. They held Golden State to 35.2% shooting. And they built enough of a lead for all the starters to rest in the fourth quarter and all but Pau Gasol to play less than 30 minutes.
From J.A. Adande, ESPN: It’s getting to the point that even Phil Jackson doesn’t have an answer for the Lakers. A four-game winning streak punctuated by a 28-point victory over the Warriors Sunday night led to a 10-word opening statement at the coach’s news conference afterward. “I don’t know what to say,” he concluded. “You can ask questions.” In running their record to 12-2 the Lakers have already told us plenty about their approach to the season. They will do everything to win all their games, which seems like a basic assumption unless you’ve spent enough time watching the NBA. Taking nights off is an affliction that can strike both the good teams and the ones just playing out the string, an inevitable by-product of an 82-game season.
From Brian Kamenetzky, Land O’ Lakers: What the Lakers did Sunday night to Golden State — particularly in the first half — was incredibly impressive. They put on a clinic at the Warriors’ expense, torturing the visitors with variety appropriate for some sort of hoops remake of those Saw movies. They hit shots inside, and drilled them from the perimeter. On the break, early in the offense, and late in the clock, all with some of the best spacing they’ve had all year, and surgical ball movement. On the other end, the Lakers forced turnovers and tough shots, while blocking a few others. It was, in short, a red letter night for people who like to sit at home and cut together highlight reels off game footage to post on YouTube. Scoff if you want because it came against the Warriors, a team against whom the Lakers have wide ranging matchup advantages, but playing this way they’d have abused a lot of teams.
From Dave McMenamin, Land O’ Lakers: – It was the sixth time in franchise history that a Lakers player finished the game perfect from the field after 10 or more field goal attempts. The last to do it was Byron Scott in 1986 (10-of-10). It was also reached by current GM Mitch Kupchak (11-of-11), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (11-of-11; twice) and Wilt Chamberlain (14-of-14). – Barnes joined Charles Barkley as the only other player in NBA history to post a minimum 20-point, five-rebound, five-assist night while not missing a single shot and Gasol joined him a game later. – According to ESPN Stats & Research’s Kenton Wong, the last two times two different teammates had perfect nights while attempting seven or more field goals were Phoenix’s Boris Diaw (8-of-8) and Leandro Barbosa, Indiana’s Dale Davis (7-of-7) on March 1 and 3, 2006 and (9-of-9) and Antonio Davis (7-of-7) on Jan. 7 and 10, 1997.
From Dexter Fishmore, Silver Screen and Roll: Coming into this game, the Lakers had beaten the Warriors 14 of their last 15 tries at Staples Center. I can’t imagine anyone really expected this trend to reverse itself tonight. As a franchise the Warriors are making progress, but they’re really not equipped to trouble this Lakers team in the least. There are size mismatches up and down the roster, and after years under Don Nelson they don’t have anything like the defensive system, technique or intensity to disrupt the Triangle offense. Prior editions of the Lakers might have evened the playing field a bit by, say, ignoring the paint in favor of terrible outside shots, or by running out bench players that can’t hold a lead. Not this year. This incarnation of the purple and gold beast sees its prey and goes straight for the kill.
From Janis Carr, OC Register: Andrew Bynum doesn’t know when he will return to the lineup, and the Lakers apparently aren’t waiting around to find out when the center’s surgically repaired knee will be healthy enough to play. With reserve center Theo Ratliff out at least 4-6 weeks because of surgery on his left knee, the Lakers need help now. Coach Phil Jackson said before Sunday’s game the Lakers are looking into signing a back-up center and “will have something settled this week.” Two names that have surfaced recently as potential fill-ins are free-agent Erick Dampier and Jake Voskuhl, who did not play in the NBA last season.
Lastly, one game after Matt Barnes went perfect from the field by hitting all 7 of his shots and all 5 of his free throws, Pau Gasol duplicated the feat by making all 10 of his shots from the field and all 8 of his FT attempts. Below is the video of all of Pau’s makes from the field. (h/t to Kurt at PBT)
chris h says
having a 6 month old baby boy now, I can’t even begin to imagine how the parents (must feel) of the 2 year old boy who died last night after the game from falling out of one of the luxury boxes… how can something like this even happen? I’m sure there’s much more to the story, and I’m sure none of it can be good.
Darius Soriano says
For those unfamiliar with what Chris H is talking about, here is the link:
http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/11/22/toddler-dies-after-fall-from-luxury-suites-during-lakers-game/
Truly an awful and tragic occurence. My thoughts and well wishes to the family that this affected. So, so sad.
VoR says
That news was so tragic. Tough to imagine. My thoughts are with the parents and family.
On a much lighter topic, this quote from Jeff M at the OC Reg. cracked me up.
“At that point, the Lakers’ second-string might be capable of qualifying for the Eastern Conference playoffs.”
Sedale says
Barnes, Gasol, who’s next?
MannyP says
Tragic news about the baby. I hope they find out how this happened and how it can be prevented from ever happening again, regardless of who’s to blame (if that even matters at this point).
Chownoir says
@#3 VOR, After Bynum comes back, you would have a second string of LO at C, Barnes at PF, Shannon and Ebanks at wing, Blake at PG. Little thin up front but pretty good unit of 5 guys to roll out there. That’s a Nelly small ball unit.
Speaking of benches, how hard is Sasha pressing right now? With Shannon playing as well as he has, when Sasha does get in, he doesn’t display nearly the patience he did last year when he had his good stretches.
Assuming there is season next year, I can see Lakers trying to make Brown a competitive offer using Sasha’s 5+ a year. If Shannon was offered a similar 3 year contract that Sasha has now with the 5 as the starting salary, I can see Brown staying. That’s unless someone gives him a ridiculous 8+ a year offer.
Darius Soriano says
Bill Bridges put together an animated short in the new post that’s up. I’m still laughing…
http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2010/11/22/the-technical/
T. Rogers says
Anyone else looking with curiosity at the boys in San Antonio? I love the way the Lakers have played the last few games. Still I won’t let my excitement get too bubbly until they play more of the tougher teams on the road. The Lakers started 18-3 last season with a pretty watered down schedule. Things got tougher from then on. Sure, part of that was injuries. But it has to be pointed out.
The Lakers are supposed to dismantle the Warriors. I am very satisfied with their recent play. I just want to see what they do against more of the consistently good teams. I am not complaining. I just want to keep my excitement in perspective.
Darius Soriano says
#8. T. Rogers,
San Antonio is a definite concern. Parker is playing fantastic basketball (his assist numbers especially stand out) and Jefferson has bounced back in a way that few thought possible after last year’s struggles. You add Manu, Timmy, and their improved depth (with Splitter) and they have a team that goes 8-9 deep that is skilled, tough, and both young and experienced (if that makes sense). Plus they have Popovich, who, I’ve always had the utmost respect for. They’re definitely a threat long term, health permitting.
T. Rogers says
@Darius
I am reminded of the Spurs every time I look at the top of the game day chats. I read the Lakers record at 11-2 (before yesterday’s game) and see even with that mark they are 3rd in the West.
Coming in it was OKC and Portland I was most concerned about. However, OKC seems to be coming back to Earth, and health continues to elude the Blazers. But Timmy and Co. have found new life and are looking very legit. As long as Bynum is healthy come April (crossing my fingers) I still like our chances.
I am looking forward to the first meeting between the two teams. I want to see how the Lakers stack up to this seemingly improved Spurs team.
Darius Soriano says
#10. Agreed. Coming into the year the Spurs and the Hornets (the two teams in front of the Lakers – actually virtually tied, but still) were afterthoughts. Now they look to be legit.
While the Hornets can be second guessed some, they still have Paul and he’s reminding everyone that he’s still pretty good at running a team. And their improved defense is also impressive. I think in the long run their relative size up front will hurt them (West and Okafor aren’t *that* big) but with Ariza and Paul guarding opposing wings and PG’s, doing damage from the wing is going to be difficult just beause they’re both good at creating turnovers and disrupting passing lanes and the opponent’s dribble.
Jeremy says
If the Lakers can take care of business this week against the Bulls, Jazz & Pacers and are fortunate there is a very good chance they will have the best record in the league.
DY says
#6. I’ve been thinking about Shannon’s future as well. Being young, he’s looking for that opportunity to “be his own man,” but he has witnessed first hand what being a basketball vagabond is like. I’m sure he’s looking for an opportunity, but staying in LA with a longer-term contract seems like a bright possibility for him, given Kobe’s natural aging.
I wonder if given Shannon’s improved decision making and shooting, if Phil will give him a shot down the road to be a triangle PG, a topic that’s been broached here on many occasions.