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Records: Lakers 21-10 (Tied for 3rd in West), Hornets 18-13 (6th in West)
Offensive ratings: Lakers 111.5 (2nd in NBA), Hornets 104.5 (21st in NBA)
Defensive ratings: Lakers 105.0 (11th in NBA), Hornets 102.3 (6th in NBA)
Projected Starting Lineups: Lakers: Derek Fisher, Kobe Bryant, Ron Artest, Lamar Odom, Pau Gasol
Hornets: Chris Paul, Marco Belinelli, Trevor Ariza, David West, Emeka Okafor
Injuries: Lakers: Theo Ratliff (out); Hornets: Willie Green (questionable)
The Lakers Coming in: The bad basketball has continued and there seems to be no end in sight. After last night’s loss, Kobe mentioned that the game snowballed once his shots stopped falling. The rest of the team is angry at the way they’re playing but not worried that this will last indefinitely. This type of perspective is what I’d hope the team has since they, better than most, understand what needs to be done to improve. They know that they’ll play better but that the work to get there must get done. They surely see it as a process.
Fans, on the other hand, are calling for blood. The frustration from lackluster play (for what seems like a month) and a string of double digit defeats is the spoiled cherry on a rancid sundae.
Meanwhile, I’m in the middle. I’m quite frustrated that the team is playing the way that it is. The team isn’t utilizing it’s advantage in the post enough but when the ball does go inside the results aren’t always what we’d want or expect. The lack of individual playmaking has bled into the overall execution of the team and the results are dry spells on offense that we’re just not accustomed to seeing. However, through it all I have belief. I’ve always said that judging a team while at its worst is foolish. A team as talented and as well coached as the Lakers won’t slump this severely for an entire campaign so to say that what we see now is what we’ll see later in the year doesn’t compute to me. The frustration lies in seeing it continue, but that’s why patience is the hardest type of perspective to maintain. With every poorly played game or blowout loss, the memory of strong performance fades and it’s then much easier to remember the bad and harder to recall what this team actually does well. But, I haven’t forgotten. This team is still very good, but right now it’s playing terrible ball.
But last night I saw a fire to compete. I saw an anger. Now that just needs to be directed correctly. That energy needs to be put into executing on both sides of the ball; it needs to be channelled into closing out hard, rotating to shut down the paint, to moving with and without the ball in a purposeful manner. Once that happens, the wins will come. Believe me, I’m waiting on it just like the rest of you.
The Hornets Coming in: The Lakers must see the Hornets and think they’re looking in the mirror. After starting the season on a tear and winning 11 of its first 12 games, the team has now only won 7 of 19. They’re below .500 in December (6 wins, 8 losses) and what started out looking like a promising year is now more realistically one that will end with a low playoff seeding. A nice season in a strong Western Conference, but not what many hoped for after such an amazing start.
As usual, this team is carried by their transcendent point guard, Chris Paul. His numbers are down a bit from two years ago (where he was rightly considered one of the best 3-4 players in the league) but he’s still amazingly efficient for a smallish guard. His shooting percentages are still 49/46/91 (field/thee point/FT line) and in an era of stellar PG play you’d be hard pressed to find a better floor general in the league.
Where the Hornets are really struggling is in their supporting cast. David West is still putting up good numbers (19 and 7) and Okafor is good for a near double-double a night (10 and 9) but the rest of the team is a collection of role players that are either right at or below league average. Trevor Ariza has not been able to duplicate the numbers from his stellar run with the Lakers in 2009 and Marco Belinelli – while playing good ball – shouldn’t be a starting guard in this league. You throw in the fact that this team traded Darren Collison and that promising 2nd year player Marcus Thornton has seen his minutes slashed and you’re now hard pressed to find the young talent that could develop into a key cog on a contender. Hence the persistent rumors that CP3 could be on the move.
The team will compete each night because they defend the ball very well (credit new coach Monty Williams for emphasizing D as their calling card), but with an offense in the bottom third of the association and teams able to stack their D to slow down Paul, this team doesn’t get enough from other players to truly compete at a level that makes them contenders. And I haven’t even talked about how the league had to step in and purchase the team due to the financial troubles it’s been experiencing in New Orleans.
Hornets Blogs: For all your news and notes on the team from ‘Nawlins, visit Hornets 24/7. At The Hive also does a very good job covering this team.
Keys to game: The desperate fan side of me wants to say “just do enough to actually win” and leave it at that. I mean, with the way the Lakers have been playing and the fact that this is the 2nd night of a back to back, I’ll take a win any way that it can come. Also, the fact is that there are so many non opponent specific things the Lakers need to do better to actually get a W, that focusing too much on the opponent isn’t even useful.
But, a couple of Hornets notes are necessary. Obviously slowing down the P&R attack of the Hornets will be the biggest defensive key. Paul loves to run the high P&R with West and Okafor and probe the defense coming off the pick to find the best shot for his team. When his defender goes under the screen he’ll happily take the uncontested jumper and when defenders trail him he’ll get into the paint to either shoot a floater or draw the defense in so he can hit an open teammate. Tonight, I’d like for the Lakers to get the ball out of Paul’s hands by hedging hard and force him to give up the ball early. At that point the Lakers can rotate to the next Hornet and then hopefully deny Paul the ball so he can’t reset the offense. This will be easier said than done as Paul’s ability to keep his dribble rivals Steve Nash’s, but I think it’s necessary to try and limit the Hornets’ offensive success.
David West is the other key to the Hornets offense so slowing him is priority number 2. West loves to do his work at the elbow and mid post where he can turn and face to shoot his solid mid range jumper. The Lakers need to crowd him when he’s in his sweet spots and then make him a driver where he has to finish over the top of a rotating big man. Odom has had mixed results against West in the past but in this game he’ll need to use his quickness and length to bother his jumper and slide him towards the help.
Offensively the Lakers need to go inside. I understand that Gasol has been struggling but the Hornets don’t have a lot of height inside and Pau should be able to get off his hooks and turnaround jumpers without too much trouble. Okafor is a very good shot blocker, but most of his success is as a weak side rotator and not on the ball. If Pau can establish the post at 12 feet and in, he should be able to maneuver into position where he can shoot his lefty hook or drive middle where he can get off his jumper.
I’d also like to see a bit more of Bynum tonight and allow him to get more touches. Last night he went 4-4 from the field and had his touch back around the hoop. His footwork looked solid and he worked with a strong, wide base on most of his hook shots. Big ‘Drew is a guy that can simply over power any big man that the Hornets throw up against him, so more post up chances for him would be a good thing tonight.
All that said, as I mentioned earlier, tonight is just about playing better. If the Lakers clean up their own house, they’ll be in position to win. In recent games we’ve seen lazy passes and players making predetermined reads with the ball rather than reacting to what the defense is doing. I’d love to see controlled aggression rather than the frenzied activity we saw last night. If the Lakers can play with urgency while not pressing I think we’ll see the result we all want tonight. Now, lets get that win.
Where you can watch: 5pm start tonight on KCAL. Also listen at ESPN Radio 710am.
ReignMan says
For Warren!
If that even works anymore…
Emile says
Right now, this team looks more like the Lakers circa 2006 than the 2-time defending champs. Kobe is frequently having nights where he puts the offense on the back burner and devolves into a volume scorer.
Also, Kobe’s scoring (which has become significantly less efficient) doesn’t mean anything if the Lakers can’t get stops on D- or at least make opponents work harder for their points. Kevin McHale had a great stat on NBA TV: last night, on points in the paint+2nd chance points+fast break points, the Spurs killed the Lakers, 75-44. that’s gotta stop.
Offensively, there need to be more easy buckets. In the half court, that’s got to include a real commitment to pounding the ball inside- the Spurs had no answer for Bynum last night. And when they do get stops/rebounds, the Lakers should look to push the ball more. The fast break has been non-existent of late.
JB says
Okay, I’ll say it.
This team’s just not the same since they traded Sasha.
exhelodrvr says
JB,
Joe Smith is a cancer in the locker room, I tell you, a cancer!!
flip says
At least they were leading by halftime against the Spurs. Considering their recent play, it’s an improvement. Let’s hope it continues.
penston says
Howyasay…LOL?
T. Rogers says
When was the last time the Lakers has two four game losing streaks before January? Whenever it was, let’s keep it in the past.
Here’s to the boys taking care of business tonight.
Chris J says
I’m disgusted with their play following the long road trip. That said, there’s plenty of time to right the ship.
Let’s hope the fix begins tonight considering the lengthy stretch of winnable games looming on the scheduled, provided the real Lakers show up and not these disinterested, disjointed, (and to fans) displeasing clowns we’ve seen of late.
chris h says
back in TN folks…link please?
Joel says
Bynum gets the start apparently…
sT says
It is always good to hear Trevor Ariza talk, he is always a positive person. Feed the Bigs tonight… Bynum in the starting lineup tonight, great.
Matt R. says
Dunno if anyone posted it in the earlier thread from today, but Hollinger’s piece on what’s ailing the Lakers is a good one.
Joel says
Why pray tell is Bynum guarding West?
Anonymous says
any links?? 😀
Darius Soriano says
Nice to see Drew back in the starting line up. Still not sure why he was guarding West, but Pau was doing a good job on Okafor so I’m not going to complain.
What was most promising to me was the fact that when Odom came in, he subbed out Pau and not Drew. That shows that Phil has some faith in Drew’s wind and stamina to play longer minutes.
vhan says
Lakers will win this one. Drew back in the line-up is real.
Mohan says
That was a great defensive possession…but Lamar, you’ve gotta grab the ball if you can.
chris h says
even though I’m not able to see the game (links?), I am happy to hear that PJ subbed in LO for Pau, remember guys? I was advocating a LO/Drew/artest line up, we’ve got to be careful not to burn out Pau.
anybody gotta link?
Mohan says
We really need to see more of Kobe working the 0-2 dribble midrange game.
Mohan says
And less of Kobe’s matador defense.
Mohan says
You’ve gotta love the dynamic between Artest and Ariza.
DirtySanchez says
Just started watching the game, scoreboard showing improve play. Whats the skinny on the big second quater lead. I cant take another all nighter on the web combing for answers in the sand. Glad I have been on vacation this week or I would have been a walking zombie at work.
Darius Soriano says
#21. Ron really seems to want to take it to Trevor tonight. One of the reasons why I root for Ron is because he’s as competitive as any other player on the team (including Kobe). He may not be as skilled as he used to be, but he’ll play as hard and fight for the win with great desire.
Snoopy2006 says
22-7 rebounding advantage? I approve.
Joe says
Yea, the 7 rebounds by the Hornets has to be the most impressive stat thus far. Now whether the Hornets are struggling or not, they are 13-3 at home, so this would be a huge road win to get this after we sucked big time last night.
sT says
Fisher PUJIT and he misses, that is not part of the triangle offense is it?
Mohan says
Boy, I’m loving the quick passes within the offense and easy shots. When they keep everything moving – and I’m not talking about dribbling – it’s a beautiful sight.
Tyler says
The rebounding has been nice to see. That seems to be one of the biggest differences from this year to last year. I don’t know if that stats back this up or not, but it seemed like in the last few years we have dominated the boards, but this year we have been a bit below average.
Mohan says
Once again, Kobe with the quick midrange game. Unstoppable.
sT says
LO is doing fine tonight, he is out of his funk.
Mohan says
Lamar, please do this every game.
Joel says
Apart from the turnovers this has been an immaculate performance. The 3-headed monster of Gasol, Bynum, and Odom is back in effect!
vhan says
Bad news for the Celts, KG hurts his knee on the game vs the Pistons. LO is freaking awesome.
Jane says
LO, that was sick.
Glove says
Lamar Odom is having fun tonight
Tyler says
Why is Pau still in the game, and why did Phil try to put Kobe back in? How about getting Joe Smith some PT?
Darius Soriano says
Tyler,
Phil often likes to finish strong when the team plays a good road game so he’ll sometimes put key players back in so that the momentum carries over. After the way the team has been playing, I don’t blame him for wanting to capture and bottle some of this moving forward.
exhelodrvr says
Well, this was a start.
Joe says
I did not see the game because I was at work. Was this a blowout because the Lakers actually played awesome, or did the Hornets just play bad?
Raymeister says
@39 By the time I tuned in, the Lakers were already up by a wide margin, but what I saw was a combination of both. The Lakers were making their shots, getting second chance points, moving the ball, and LO was beasting. The Hornets were a step slow, weren’t rebounding effectively, West was hobbled by an injury, and West and Okafur were simply overmatched by Gasol, Bynum, and Odom.
Darius Soriano says
Game recap is up:
http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2010/12/29/lakershornets-rediscovering-a-winning-formula/