Records: Lakers 34-15 (2nd in West), Spurs 40-8 (1st in West)
Offensive ratings: Lakers 112.6 (2nd in NBA), Spurs 111.3 (3rd in NBA)
Defensive ratings: Lakers 105.1 (10th in NBA), Spurs 103.8 (7th in NBA)
Projected Starting Lineups: Lakers: Derek Fisher, Kobe Bryant, Ron Artest, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum
Spurs: Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, Richard Jefferson, Tim Duncan, DeJuan Blair
Injuries: Lakers: Matt Barnes and Theo Ratliff (out), Andrew Bynum (questionable); Spurs: Matt Bonner (out)
The Lakers Coming in: Despite the drama surrounding the team and the fact that the principle characters are now trying to make it go away, the Lakers have basketball games to play. Going into Houston, some of those same topics were being discussed and the Lakers came out and got a much needed win. So, while I’d love to indulge folks with more talk about players changing jerseys or discuss what former Laker legend is suggesting solutions, I think the focus should be on the players actually, you know, playing better and winning games.
And that brings me to Kobe and Gasol’ quotes surrounding Pau being a “black swan” by playing more aggressive basketball and taking it to whoever he’s being guarded by. And while Kobe’s comments produced some great photoshop work, I think the point made is a key one. As we pointed out the other day, Gasol is not far removed from being described as the most skilled big man in the league. A player with his talent needs to be aggressive more often as his ability and skill can change the complexion of a game against any opponent on the schedule. If nothing else, here’s hoping that an ugly win against the Rockets brought back the concept that the Lakers have 2 of the best players in the league and that both players need to take it upon themselves to show it each night. More than anything else, that will aid the Lakers cause in improving over the rest of this season.
The Spurs Coming in: What can be said about the way the Spurs are playing that we don’t already know? I mean, they’re the best team in the league record wise, and are on a pace to produce a 70 win campaign. Their starters play the least amount of minutes in the league but they don’t seem to lose any ground in games where role players consistently step up and perform. It’s a testament to the greatness of the leadership from their big 3 and Greg Popovich that this team – once thought closed out of truly contending – is back this season as a terror. They truly are the best of the best right now.
That said, they are coming off a loss. Downed at the Rose Garden by the Blazers, the Spurs are looking to bounce back and not make this losing thing a trend. In that game they struggled to contain LaMarcus Aldridge (no shame in that considering his tremendous play of late) who dropped 40 points on them hitting a variety of inside and outside shots against every defender that checked him. The question coming into tonight is if the Spurs are ready to give up a couple of games in a row as they just now start their infamous rodeo road trip (which is quite similar the the Grammy roadie the Lakers will start) or if that game was just a standard bump in the road for a team that has to lose every once in a while.
Spurs Blogs: It’s only fitting that there are several quality sites to cover such a quality team. 48 Minutes of Hell is always fantastic. Also check out Pounding the Rock for more good insight.
Keys to game: Phil Jackson has said that Bynum wants to play tonight so I have him in the Lakers starting lineup. Whether that holds or not will remain to be seen, but honestly I don’t think it should affect the Lakers game plan one bit tonight.
Offensively the Lakers need to attack inside. If Gasol really did get the memo after the Houston game, I think he needs to be featured on offense so he can attack Duncan and/or Blair by going to the post as often as possible. Even when he catches the ball at the elbow or short wing, I’d really like to see him attack the rim off the dribble to try and get closer to basket and use his jump hook from both the left and right side. If Pau can get going early, it will go a long way towards easing the offensive load of Kobe and the rest of the team.
That said, the other key to the game is that the Lakers actually commit to running their sets and not being stagnant. In the Rockets game, the Lakers went isolation late in regulation and it cost them the baskets they needed to avoid overtime. In the extra period, they rectified this by working Kobe more off the ball and allowing him to play in two man games with Pau on the weakside. Whether or not Bynum plays, Odom will be key tonight as an offensive initiator. In the half court, Odom can play in the two guard front and be a guy that makes post entries and slashes off the ball. In the open court he needs to push the ball and force Blair and Duncan to pick him up high and then use his quickness to attack the rim. This will allow him to get shots going to the basket and free up shooters and offensive rebounding lanes as the Spurs help.
Defensively, the Lakers need to think outside in. Yes Duncan is a threat and the ballast of their attack. But the explosive action comes from Parker and Ginobili. They’re comfortable working in isolation and the P&R and the Lakers must have their heads about them in how they need to help and recover in order to shut down the lane while still recovering to outside shooters. The Lakers also must be aware to help the helper as the Spurs feasted on the offensive glass the last game because no one recovered to the paint to block out when the Laker bigs rotated on drives by the Spurs wings. Rotating on D to avoid getting killed by the three ball from Jefferson, Neal, and Hill will also be key tonight, so again, think outside in and look to put the clamps on the Spurs wings.
I don’t need to explain too much about why this game is very important to the Lakers. They trail the Spurs in the standings and you only get so many chances to gain a full game on the team in front of you. Tonight is one of those nights. Also, the Lakers record against the best teams in the league could use a pick me up and there’s no better team to earn that agaisnt than the one with the best overall record. After the Houston game, Kobe said that they owe the Spurs a butt kicking. Here’s hoping they make it happen tonight.
Where you can watch: 7:30pm start on TNT. Also listen on ESPN Radio, 710am.
DY says
I’m tired of saying this a “must-win” game even though it’s the regular season, but it’s truly a must-win game. A win tonight would really steady the ship; a loss might really get the fan base mad with scurvy. Not that Kupchack has a hand on the trade “button” and if we lose, he activates the trade machine, but a win tonight should help calm a lot of nerves.
I really believe if Matt Barnes was around, we wouldn’t be going crazy like we are right now. But unlike Doc Rivers, we win/lose with the players we have, and we accept the result.
What I want to see tonight is the Lakers turning on the proverbial “switch” for at least one game, to remind us that they are still capable of doing so. Just give us an appetizer please, and remind us of the June feast to come.
Paul says
Warren!
Just a thought, if the lakers come out and play their “A” game and beat the Spurs by a double digits, they will all of a sudden be hailed as the favorites to win the finals.
PJ has the correct attitude about the regular season and owns the rings to prove it. I would love to see the lakers get HCA but if the lakers are healthy and Pau returns to early season form I don’t anticipate anyone would win 4 out of 7 against the lakers.
Joe says
Let me just say this. The Lakers have no shot at catching the Spurs, whether they win tonight or not….no shot at all. The Spurs are way too strong and is going to win at least 65 games, the Lakers if they play great the rest of the way may get 60, but is doubtful wih their schedule. This game is important though because with a win, we can install a bit of fear and doubt to the Spurs of whether or not they are really the best team. This game is much bigger for the Lakers than the Spurs, the Lakers need to play this like a huge playoff game.
Busboys4me says
It’s not a “switch”. It’s a commitment to defense, that means no cheating to the inside on the three point shooters (read Kobe and Shannon), no lazy shows on the pick and roll (read Pau and Bynum), and team rebound or hold position on the defensive glass (read everyone). Maintain rebound position and allow Ron to box out and someone else go get the basketball (Fisher/Blake). Easier said than done.
Busboys4me says
As I said before, these next five games will determine whether Mitch tries to pull the trigger on a trade. SA, @NO, @MEM, @BOS, @NY. Not an easy task.
tsuwm says
I think the Lakers are on a losing streak coincident with the Warren! posts. and I blame y’all.
Andreas G. says
For all the talk about how bad the Lakers are playing, they still rank number one on Hollinger’s list:
http://espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/powerrankings
Bare in mind, this list is based solely on stats and doesn’t take into account that the Lakers have a ton of potential, were they to play the way we know they can. I.e., it’s just based on the way the teams have actually been playing. And still, the Lakers are number one.
Crisis? Not really. People tend to forget how much they sucked last year, and how everyone cried about how it’s impossible to flip a switch and whatever. (Yes, I’m looking at you Reggie Miller and Mark Jackson – kings of clichés.)
Like I’ve said all season long, my money is still on the Lakers to win it all. (If they are healthy.)
Anonymous says
Here’s an observation: Last year the lakers went 57-25 with a winning percentage of .695. So far this year, they are 34-15 – a winning percentage of .694. This also included the six game winners by Kobe. As far as a cumulative season goes, I’d say we’re ok.
Lakers8884 says
Darius, thanks for posting that picture of Pau, highlight of my day.
Busboys4me, couldn’t agree more. These next several games we will find out a ton about this Lakers team. So let’s see if the team rebounds from their recent poor play and rights the ship. If they continue their poor play then maybe it might be time to panic or consider a trade (unlikely) but as of right now I see each player having the ability to play better and more consistently. I don’t worry about much right now other than not having HCA over Boston, but then again we will see if that matters much in the upcoming road game against the C’s.
Gr8 Scott says
As a huge Laker fan residing near San Antonio, I can say that there are still many spurs fans who aren’t buying into the fact that their team can contend. Many have looked at tonight’s game as a bellweather game – beat LA at Staples and then they’ll be on the 2K11 title bandwagon. Lose to LA and they’ll reserve judgement for a later date. It’s already snowing in other parts of South Texas, so anything is possible. That said, I hope we win tonight and win by 15+ to give our confidence a much-needed shot in the arm. And I hope we don’t double Duncan. He can’t beat you for 48 minutes the way he once did – this silver and black team is truly outside-in. We have to keep Parker, Ginobili and others to contested jumpers. And for the love of Pete, I hope Kobe doesn’t roam too far off his man. I’ve seen way too many losses to the spurs where he doesn’t respect player X (Bowen, Mason, Hill, etc.) and they repeatedly are left open for uncontested 3s. Let’s go Lakers!!
Joe says
#8, there is some flaws in your theory.
First of all, the Lakers still have mostly played the bad teams at this point. Only lately are they starting to play the better ones. Also, last year the Lakers did not get blown out on their homecourt as much as they have this year, especially to bad teams. Even though the Lakers did not play too good against the elite last year, they did not get blown out by them the way they have this year. Don’t kid yourself, this Laker team is having worser problems compared to last year. Some of it has to do with their inconsistent play, but some of it has to do with a much deeper and better Western Conference.
Lakers8884 says
Sometimes the TNT NBA crew really have some intelligent conversations. I don’t know if anyone saw it but they basically agreed that the Lakers will be fine they just need to play harder and more consistently. They also said that the Spurs are the ONLY West team that could beat LA, (They all even agreed it was very likely LA would win too).
My rant of the day: Kevin Love being snubbed from the All-star team is one of the biggest travesties in NBA history. His statistics are mind-blowing and the guy NEEDS to be there. My only hope is that with Yao Ming out he will be added in as a replacement.
jodial says
I’d really like to see the Lakers play a great game tonight just to remind everyone (and themselves) they can, but really, I have to laugh at the level of panic and hand-wringing going on around the state of this team. I was listening to 710 today driving around and Mason & Ireland were on the grimmest roll I’ve ever heard, predicting a blowout loss, calling for a shakeup of the entire team, and provoking 30-year season ticket holders into tirades about how this roster doesn’t deserve their support.
Can the Lakers play better? Of course. Will they? That’s why they play the games, but all I can say is, this is a team that had its fans panicking and crying apocalypse both of the last two seasons, not only in the regular season but during the actual playoffs, and you tell me how those seasons ended up.
What they’re trying to do – win 3 in a row, make 4 finals appearances in a row – is historically wildly difficult. But anyone who says this team “can’t just flip a switch” is flying in the face of exactly what they’ve just done, twice in a row.
Andreas G. says
Joe: You have a point, but remember that the Lakers played their worst ball of the season heading into last year’s play-offs – and they still won. Even though people were claiming that the most important thing is to head into the play-offs carrying momentum.
This year, the same people are arguing that the most important thing is to beat the good teams, or defend your homecourt and what not.
From watching both the Lakers and the Celtics last year, my only conclusion remains:
When it comes to veteran teams, the regular season doesn’t mean all that much.
Joe says
13, every seasons has its low points. For the Lakers a year ago it was mainly at the end of the year right before the playoffs. 2 years ago they did not really have any problems because they won 65 games and won almost every statement game. I will never forget the win in cleveland and boston on back to back nights and ending that home winning streak of cleveland, not to mention breaking the 19 game winning streak of the celts, but anyway….this whole year besides the first 8 “easy” games has been a huge struggle for this team. The team has never struggled this badly before and even though fans can exaggerate of how bad it is, it surely is not pretty and something they can be proud of. My biggest fear is not that the Lakers wont be ready for playoffs, but the improved powerhouses around the league, some of which may be better than us. New year, different story my friend.
Busboys4me says
@jodial
Flipping the switch is no more than giving a darn. Care about your defense. Don’t be lazy and lax on your close outs and protect the three point line (no cheating inside), force people off the box and stay low and strong (not letting people walk into the low post and establish position). That’s what it has been about.
Simonoid says
For all those looking for live streams on ATDHE.NET, it is now shut down by the government.
Go instead to ATDHE.ME for tonight’s game.
Busboys4me says
Wow neither Kevin Love nor LaMarcus Aldridge made the all-star. Both deserved it but you knew that Timmy would get the nod over both even though LaMarcus has eaten those two’s lunch (and Blake’s too). LMA not making it is an all out snub (Love not making it is a statistical and glamour snub). As far as the East four Celtics AND Joe Johnson making it is a joke. Carlos Boozer should have made the cut instead of Joe Johnson or Garnett.
Simonoid says
LeBron James 23, Orlando Magic 23.
jodial says
15 & 16 – I agree with you both! I’m just saying, if there ever was a team you’d have to give the benefit of the doubt to as far as knowing what to do when the playoffs roll around, it would be this one.
LOfan says
The weird scenario from this game is that the Lakers really dont have much to gain, except maybe easing the fans worries. Think about it, if they win tonight does that mean they have solved all their problems and are now on their way to a 4th straight finals appearance? No. But if they lose, then the panic will continue, and the trade talk will continue.
The fact that Jerry Buss came to the practice today is a good sign. I think they win tonight, but ive been wrong about this team a lot this year. It might take a 6 or 7 game winning streak to ‘right the ship’ as they say. If this team plays defense the way they usually did during the last couple years, no team in the league can beat them in a 7 game series.
Simonoid says
10/10 from the field. Jesus.
Andreas G. says
18: KL and LMA still have a chance to make the team (and LO too, for that matter), if David Stern chooses them to replace Yao – if I’m not mistaken.
Joe says
Andreas, how critical was homecourt for us in game 7 last year? Just how much of a difference would a better regular season for the Celtics have been, and they had the homecourt over us. Ask yourself that question and you will open up a new side to your thinking. I don’t agree with you one bit. The Lakers got favorable matchups last year and were still the best team in the West. Homecourt was pivitol against Boston.
AusPhil says
If it were any other team, we wouldn’t be getting an in-game update on a particular player’s FG% as the headline story with picture on ESPN. Before the end of the 1st half. Those type of “in-game” headlines are usually very generic.
Must… not… let… my… bitterness… about… ESPN and Maimi… take… over!
But seriously, quite a start by LeBJ there.
Zephid says
I hope the Lakers lose by 30 tonight, so we can go into trade panic frenzy!!!! Let’s stir some s*** up!
Blizzard says
@3 yeah, it’s basically 100% that the lakers will start on the road if they meet the Spurs. The lakers could go on a 33 game winning streak starting tonight, and the spurs would just need to go 27-7 (worse than their current pace) to match them.
Joe says
Zephid, I think it is almost a win win situation tonight. If the Lakers win, great! A win against the leagues best team record wise and a huge boost for the team. A loss, especially a blowout, and 0-5 against the elite and a trade may just have to be in question.
AusPhil says
Am I reading correctly that the entire Eastern Conference All-Star team is made up of players from only 6 teams?
Joel says
29
Fitting for a conference with only 6 teams over .500 isn’t it?
AusPhil says
Joel – When you put it like that, I couldn’t agree more. Makes you wonder if the Lakers could get 4+ on the team if they were in the East…
Cayucos Surfer says
link for the game, anyone? much appreciated.
Anonymous says
http://atdhe.me/
AusPhil says
#32 – Sorry, I don’t have a link for you, but I was over in California in January 2010, and loved the time I got to spend in Cayucos. Beautiful.
Lakers8884 says
Aaron, still think Artest is a great ballhandler?
Joel says
Once again Kobe refuses to rotate out to his man…
Andreas G. says
Joe: Of course homecourt was important (but remember that we didn’t have a healthy Bynum), that’s not what I’m saying. It’s not as if I wouldn’t take the league’s best record if I could, I’m just saying that people will always try to find reasons to doubt the Lakers.
It comes with the territory when you’re always winning. I bet if the Lakers had the league’s best record, people would be talking about the risk for complacency.
Anyway, I’m not too worried. I still believe that if you combine the league’s best frontline with Kobe Bryant – you’ll always have a pretty decent shot at winning the title.
paul says
hero mode already? could be a long night…
LOfan says
Artest is struggling.
Joel B. says
The lakers just do not execute on either end of the floor. It’s only the first quarter but if they keep this up it’ll be another blowout.
*with that being said gasol gets a lay up…good.
ray says
wow, what a shot to end the quarter
Andreas G. says
Wow.. When people are hitting shots like that, no wonder we are struggling;)
KenOak says
Did anyone hear what Reggie Miller said about Pau Gasol? For once I found myself agreeing with him…
Darius Soriano says
The Spurs are hustling and creating their won luck so far. That, RJ’s hot start, and the Lakers’ sloppiness is why the Lakers trail. We’ll see, but I think this game turns if we start to clean the game up.
AusPhil says
I would think that this lineup puts a lot of pressure on Lamar to get (or generate) the baskets. I know that the others (esp. Shannon and Drew) can finish, but I worry about it as a unit.
LOfan says
Im not watching the tnt broadcast. They dont know crap about the lakers. But I do like Kevin Harlan.
EJK says
anyone know of any links?
paul says
perimeter defense = atrocious
LOfan says
Here is a link. Even though it says soccer, Trust me its the lakers. If that doesnt work, go to p2p4u.net and look under basketball. There are a few links there as well. good luck.
http://www.soccertvlive.net/watch/48543/1/watch-los-angeles-lakers-vs-san-antonio-spurs.html
Zephid says
Artest is engaged, that much we can say. Which is way better than the past few games.
LOfan says
Ron Artest 🙂
Its still Queensbridge.
Joel B. says
The lakers’ d is looking much better, but Pau has to do a better job on Duncan. Pau allowed Duncan to go right around him twice this quarter.
Jane says
@48 great link, thanks!
Thanks to that link, I just saw Lamar get CHEWED by Phil going into the timeout…”That’s You!!”
Zephid says
51, right when you say that, we get two straight layups by Tony Parker. Bigs need to move their feet and cut off those driving lanes.
AusPhil says
I love the Lakers, but the 2010-11 version sure knows how turn a lead into a tied game or a deficit in a hurry.
Anyhow, there were flashes in the first half that made me very happy. Here’s hoping that the third quarter isn’t our downfall as it has seemed to be this season.
LOfan says
@52 No worries. Good game huh?
LOfan says
lamar is phils whipping boy, as they say.
Igor Avidon says
Spurs are a great offensive team this year, and we’ve held them to 42 in a half. Lakers are definitely trying, though not as focused as they would be in the playoffs. By the way, come playoff time, Steve Blake will be virtually useless (I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again). He plays rushed in big games, and D-Fish will re-take his throne as the favorite Lakers PG.
Tra says
Finished the Half real weak. Should be up by at least 8-10 pts … Expect to see a much more aggressive Kobe n the 2nd half. Hopefully, the majority of his fg attempts r not Long Jumpers … Defensively, it’s the same old story with the Spurs. Keep Tony out of the paint and pls, no double teaming of Duncan. Our bigs, Pau and Drew, should b able to handle him 1 on 1.
AusPhil says
What’s the general feeling here about the dual PG lineup that Phil has used a few times since Barnes has been out? Where we slide Kobe to SF and run Fish and Blake up top, with 2 of Pau, Drew & LO at C and PF.
EJK says
Thanks for the link!
LOfan says
I think the Fisher Blake combo is a combination of losing barnes and shannon getting very lost very often on defense. I think it can work in short spurts. BTW, when is barnes coming back?
AusPhil says
LOfan – Last timeframe I read was ambiguous. It said 3-5 weeks from now.
Regarding Shannon getting lost in the offense, I’ve often thought that the would be better suited to the SF spot in the offense, running the baseline but, getting the open corner 3. It would definitely stop the ball pounding dribble and 19 foot jumper offense that the seems to slide into when nothing comes open quickly.
Joel says
Wow. An offensive clinic this is not.
LOfan says
so april at the latest. thanks ausphil.
Simonoid says
This is a decent link:
http://88.80.16.174/index.php?option=com_lsh&view=lsh&event_id=37734&tid=42798&channel=0&tmpl=component&layout=popup
paul says
59 I’m not a big fan of the combo. brown has a way higher ceiling offensively than either of them as we saw earlier in the year. he’s obviously not great defensively but I don’t think fish or Blake should b confused for rondo defensively
AusPhil says
Obviously Shannon at SF is a nightmare on D, but we’ve seen the team cross-match before.
Anyhow, just thinking out loud. I just want to see him raining triples like early in the season, and getting a highlight throwdown every game or 2!
… and there we go turning a close game into an 8 point deficit in very quick time…
Lakers8884 says
Okay I have seen enough of Fisher on Parker, Blake can do a better job and can contribute more on offense. He needs to play the majority of the 4th
LOfan says
Have we ever in our rivalry been able to stop Parker? He always destroys us it seems like. Anyways, I think Shannon needs to be given a chance to guard Parker.
Craig W. says
Darius – if you read this,
I have said before, one of the things about this team that may be getting old is Phil Jackson. He may have 11 rings, but he is also retiring at the end of this year and may not be as flexible as he was in earlier years.
Example, Pau and Odom make a soft trio for our front line. When we face tough front courts we really need Andrew in there for more minutes, with either Pau or Lamar. In this game Pau is a step slow on the boards and he just isn’t a dominant finisher at the basket. He doesn’t make the most of his height – that is just not his style. That’s why he is a forward, not a real center. In this center-watered-down-league he can get by, but the really good teams destroy him. We need more of Andrew at these times.
However, Phil just will not adjust the rotation minutes to account for this.
There are a lot of other things to talk about, but this seems to be a constant problem for this entire year.
LOfan says
Did Pau just faint? LOL. I feel a little bad making fun of him. kinda. sorta.
Lakers8884 says
Is it just me or has the best looking lineup for the past few weeks been Blake, Brown, Kobe, Pau/Lamar/Bynum?
AusPhil, I’ve thought Shannon would do fine there myself, realistically he is athletic enough to challenge SF shots on D, and he would get more wide open looks than he does at SG
Zephid says
Am I dreaming, or is Luke Walton finally on his way to a DNP-CD? It’s almost as if Phil finally understands that this is the way the universe is supposed to work.
Darius Soriano says
#69. While I see your logic, one of Phil’s philosophies has always been sticking to his rotation (for the most part) and getting players comfortable in the roles that they’ll play for the entire year. He’ll deviate at times, but not much. That can be a strength or a weakness in any given game but in the long haul I think his style has proven effective. All that said, I do hear what you’re saying.
LOfan says
shannon definitely needs more minutes.
Kobe Bryant says
Shannon’s tendency to shoot at the top (or sometimes coming down) of his jumper always results in shots being left short. Poor rhythm.
Lakers8884 says
Someone should tell Lamar his jumper isn’t work tonight, hate not seeing him attack the glass
Mohan says
We’re getting killed from the midrange over the last two games. I’d like to think that the team wants to challenge opposing 4s to hit that shot, but when they’re hitting them at well over 50%, perhaps something needs to change?
Lakers8884 says
Phil really needs to think of putting Kobe and Pau back in before this lead gets out of hand
LOfan says
Bynum still doesn’t understand the 3 second call. We can pencil him in for at least 2 every game.
LOfan says
im with ya. Lets see the starters and pull out a win.
Joel B. says
Shannon brown just doesn’t understand the concept of defense
Lakers8884 says
That group in the game was severely limited offensively, I can’t believe he even left them in that long
sT says
Oh man, one missed J after another. As I write LO takes it to the rim, good job.
LOfan says
joel B. You are right. His defense needs work. I take back that he should get more minutes. I miss barnes, very much.
LOfan says
Kobe is shooting. A lot. THis could go either way. Pau’s shot well tonight. Lets run it through him.
Joel B. says
That’s the best contest Pau can do. Wow
sT says
LO to the hole!
LOfan says
and a terrible pass by kobe that luckily pau caught.
Joel says
Kobe is committing a lot of this year by getting caught in midair without a plan. That was almost another one.
LOfan says
Pau is 8-10. Kobe is 5-17. I think its obvious who the offense should run through.
paul says
the only thing I hate more than a fish PUJIT is when kobe gets in the air with no idea what he’s doing
LOfan says
Joel, he did that a lot in his first couple years as well. Its like the circle of life or something.
Joel B. says
Yes Kobe is taking a lot of shots. But most have them have been really good shots that just haven’t fell for him. Kobe’s shots also have come after the lakers have moved the ball a bit. It’s nothing like the celtics game where the offense began and ended with Kobe.
But the Lakers really need a score. They haven’t been great at taking advantage of their opportunities. It’s a huge one to come within 1 point or tie the game and get a huge momentum boost.
Joel B. says
Wayyyy to easy!
LOfan says
that was a bad shot by kobe.
LOfan says
LAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR!
Joel says
Kobe has 18 shots and 10 assists. He’s not shooting that much. Good grief.
sT says
LO with the trey now.
LOfan says
GOOD DECISION BY KOBE!
ray says
LETS GO DEFENSE!
Joel says
And now, a stop please. Don’t leave Jefferson open!
LOfan says
DEFENSE!!!!!!!!!!!
DEFENSE!!!!!!!!!!!!
DEFENSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lakers8884 says
This is where Championships are won, can you play defense and get one stop?
Zephid says
100, I’d leave Jefferson open. He chokes like a bitch.
Joel says
Spurs ball. Damn.
LOfan says
I Like that blake finished the game today over fish..
Lakers8884 says
WOW
Joel B. says
Wow! I can’t believe this team. It’s time to realize that this team just isn’t as good as we think they can be or they should be. Maybe, they’ll show up in the playoffs, maybe not. But we should just expect this team to continue to lose until the playoffs.
You can’t rationalize this loss. Yes, it was close. But its been this teams mantra, they don’t do the little things to win. Great contest by Pau, no box out by odom. The lakers offense sucked. They can’t put together a complete game. It’s two consecutive games the lakers needed a stop to win in regulation and didn’t get it.
I
ray says
wow…
Adrian says
So that’s how you get to 41-8…
Anonymous says
Ouch.
Mace says
LMAO. Nice box out Lamar! 🙂
Joel says
Well this sucks…
LOfan says
that was on lamar. horrible box out.
Lakers8884 says
You lose when you continually don’t do the little things, and boxing out is one of them. 4 Chances to win the game for the Spurs, that is pathetic.
ray says
great game…
Samy says
God damn it!
Lakers8884 says
And the Lakers are now 3rd in the West behind Dallas.
LOfan says
well the lakers played better. I think it was a step in the right direction overall. Still too many things to fix though. Goodnight.
Mohan says
That play was on Lamar, but you can’t blame him for four shots on one possession. A sheer lack of fundamentals all around.
Chewy says
I don’t think it was on Lamar as much as it was Artest securing the rebound on the previous miss without any other person battling him for it. If that rebound was secured it would have been arguably game over.
Zephid says
eh, shit happens. Was a good game by our guys, much better showing than in the past few weeks.
noles says
Spurs are just better. So are many other teams. Plain and simple. Even if we would have won, should it really have been a struggle AT HOME?! Seriously?
I don’t see how losing is EVER a good thing. Unless, of course, you enjoy losing. I’m sorry, I may be in the minority, but there are no positives in losing.
Ash says
Wow. Someone wake me up when the playoffs start. Watching this team in the regular season is becoming so frustrating and pointless.
Anonymous says
Lets see here. Did Lakers play their game tonight? No. I think Lakers are only playing their game when they are at least 95 pts.
They need to go to the rim. They aren’t a shooting team. They weren’t designed to be. Go through Gasol and Bynum. Odom needs to hustle to the rim.
Joel says
Can’t really complain about the performance tonight, but in the last 9 seconds we allowed an open 3 from Manu, a patented floater from Parker, and an offensive rebound. Yikes.
LOfan says
noles, its a long season. dont get too high and dont get to low. I expect this team to tear s*** up on this road trip.
harrydoballin says
Not to say the lakers weren’t at fault but they need to check thereplay with the same fervor and direction as the nfl. That was offensive interference…….
Joel B. says
I don’t see how anyone can say this was a great game. The lakers were essentially lucky they were even in a position to win. They, once again gave up too many open jumpers and second chance points. The lakers do not close out quarters well. They were up 7 with about two minutes to go in the first have ended up tied, then loss the third quarter, got down by 8 in the 4th. The lakers make it extremely difficult on themselves to win games. The spurs got 4 shots in 22 seconds. That’s completely inexcusable and I’m disgusted.
I’m in the minority as well. Have the lakers regressed this so much that most people are content that they didn’t get blown out. I would understand if this was just a close game the spurs just made a few more shot than the lakers. No this was the lakers giving up a game. This is essentially what the lakers have done all season. The lakers had a better overall defensive performance, yes. But they still gave up wide open shots when it mattered and too many offensive rebounds in the fourth quarter.
Tsig says
good game to watch until the end.
adversity is your asset
Tra says
Bottom Line: They earned it. We’ll see them down the line.
Lakers8884 says
126. It wasn’t offensive interference, his hand was never over the cylinder.
One thing I take away from this game is that Steve Blake needs to play 75% of the game. He did a great job guarding Parker in the 4th, and quite frankly Fisher isn’t contributing near enough to warrant the minutes he is playing. Giving Blake more minutes would do wonders for his confidence.
sT says
Oh well, what a bummer for sure, to lose like this, a simple tip in after sooo many missed J’s by the Spurs.
robinred says
Positives:
Kobe adjusted to the matchups and the situation; had 10 dimes. The 3 at 83-87 was awful, but he bounced back and found Lamar and Pau the next two trips.
I like finishing with Blake, even though Parker got into the lane against him as well.
Artest was engaged and mostly played well. Notice how little damage Ginobili did in crunch time. The 3 Ron missed was a decent look.
Negatives:
Fisher is more of a liability than ever on some nights.
Closeouts on 3s often lacking. This team has far better outside shooting than the Lakers do, which will be tough if the Lakers see them come post-season.
Win would have made everybody feel better, and Ron and Lamar needed to grab the ball/box out there, obviously.
DY says
They tried to turn on the good old switch and the lights flickered momentarily until mcdyess and possibly the sound of inevitably snuffed the Lakers’ light out.
KenOak says
Having watched this game…I like our chances against this Spurs team. Kobe had a horrible shooting night and we still almost beat these guys. I can’t see him shooting like that for 4 of 7 games. I also like the defense we played against Manu and Parker, for the most part. There were some glaring lapses, but overall I think we played alright. Could have been an offensive foul on Tony Parker which wasn’t called and I thought that was basket interference, but oh well. Good entertaining game-just not the ending we wanted.
Now I’m just waiting for the gloom and doom to start…..3…2…1 —-> Go Joe!
LOfan says
one positive for sure: Blake finished the game and did a decent job on parker who was eating our team alive. Let Blake Free!!!!!!!!!!
paul says
I’m a bit confused about the overall positive feeling here after the loss. this game was at home and we lost. period. sure they played good defense in spurts but offensively they were mediocre at best. the biggest positives in my mind were that Walton got a DNP-CD and Blake finished the game since its clear fish cannot guard parker.
Dimitrie says
Nicely said robinred
LOfan says
Paul, the lakers have been to three straight finals. You think a last second win by the Spurs, who are by definition the best team in the league right now, at the begining of February, is suppose to get us down? Listen to phil and kobe man, its a marathon, not a sprint.
anon says
Lakers8884, offensive interference has nothing to do with where your hand is. If any part of the ball is over the rim and you touch it its interference. That was bad fundamentals by lamar for not boxing out, but the ball was still over the rim and therefore interference
TheLakeShow says
0-5 vs Spurs, Celts, Heat and Mavs – can’t wait for the road trip…I don’t want to hear or read about anymore stats, last year vs this year at this point, etc. Eyeball test is all I need to know that this team is in major trouble. Next couple weeks will tell us all just how serious this team is about coming together.
DirtySanchez says
Kobe tried to draw the charge on Parker’s tear drop, making Pau fall down in a clutter of bodies and Artest not able to get closer to the ball. Good game, bad ending.
noles says
Thank you, Paul!!! I’m sorry, are there actually fans who are happy about the loss? Should we be popping the champagne??
No, it’s not the end of the world. It never is. But it’s still an L! They don’t have multiple columns in the standings like “Lost, but did this well” or “Lost, but did that well”. Seriously? Losing sucks. Always! Like I said, not “let’s drive off a cliff” sucks, but there’s nothing to be happy about. And that makes what, 8 losses at home now?? Not good…
Lakers8884 says
Anon, it has EVERYTHING to do with where your hand is. If the ball is IN the cylinder and you touch it then it is offensive interference, the ball was clearly coming out and he tipped it in almost with his palm. He was underneath the basket to a certain degree with his positioning so if the ball was just above the rim then how by chance did a 595 year old tip it in? Watch the replay. Everyone on TNT’s crew agreed, it was not interference.
WHY even complain about that to begin with? You box out and that doesn’t happen, like it is always said don’t leave the fate of the game in the referees hands do the little things and you don’t have to put them into a position to make an ambiguous call.
Craig W. says
robinred,
Lamar has never been known as a good box out player.
robinred says
Kobe, Blake, Brown, and Fisher were 11/41 from the floor and 1/9 on 3s. The Spurs may be one team where the “get the ball inside” meme (which I think is overused sometimes–offense needs to have flow and interdependence) may actually be true; I like action against the Spurs (and everybody) where we see passing between the bigs, off mid-post wing action by Kobe.
robinred says
robinred,
Lamar has never been known as a good box out player
___
I am quite aware of that–none of the Lakers’ bigs box out much. Like you, I am a “mature” fan (about the same age as Bill Simmons). 😉 Tonight it hurt them.
Chris J says
I really hate this season. I need the All-Star break more than the players, I think.
Joel B. says
142. I’m with you
Lets see, pau shoots 80% from the field
Kobe one rebound away from a triple double
Andrew double double
Ron shoots 6-11
Lamar 16 points off the bench
and they lose. They have a tough road strip and I pegged the lakers to lose a minimum of 5 games this months and 3 days into month they are 1-1.
The lakers gave up 5 offensive rebounds in the 4th quarter. Defense doesn’t end when the opposing team takes a shot.
What’s more concerning is that two games in a row the lakers needed a stop at the end of the game and couldn’t get one.
anon says
go read the rule. Most of the ball was outside the cylinder but not all off it. It doesn’t matter if the ball was COMING off, when the bball is touched and part of it is still over the cylinder, even one centimeter, that’s interference.
And when it comes to the whole “don’t leave it up to the refs” issue, they still have to make the right call
Cdog says
Man was that a frustrating game. From what I can see, the Lakers just dont get anything easy. My mantra last year was make the other teams beat us with 2 pointers, because if the threes dont fall the other team can almost never win. This year, the Lakers really dont have any three point threats, and when we go up against the good teams, they let us get our two points, drill a couple threes (5-6) and win easily because we cant match that kind of output. Why cant any of these Lakers shoot the dang ball – just ugly. The Spurs played terribly against us tonight and still got the win. They managed to get the “spunk plays” (offensive rebounds, etc) but weren’t exactly lighting it up from anywhere. That gives the other team a huge amount of confidence.
Frustrating….
robinred says
@ 149
Yes, but as I said in 146, the backcourt guys were 11/41 combined. 1/9 on 3s.
Like last year, they still need a shooter.
R says
I do wonder if PJ hasn’t over stayed his welcome – so to speak – by one season.
They say once a person thinks about retirement, they have, in fact, retired.
Lakers8884 says
Anon, The Rule: In basketball, basket interference is the violation of (a) touching the ball or any part of the basket while the ball is on the rim of the basket or within the cylinder extending upwards from the rim. The Ball was not WITHIN the cylinder, that is the whole point it was on the outside of it. It was not basket interference, not one NBA analyst or expert has said it was so sorry I tend to believe they are right and you are wrong.
And refs have to “make the right call”, Referees are not perfect they make mistakes (even though they got it right this time), and it is common knowledge that refs swallow their whistle in situations like that so it shouldn’t be expected.
jodial says
When the fluky shot at the end of the 1st quarter went in for SA, I had a bad feeling that was going to be the margin the game was decided by. Sometimes it just rolls that way.
If this loss was in June, I’d be tossing and turning all night. February, I’m gonna sleep fine.
robinred says
@ 153,
Well, WRT Phil:
Artest played better–Phil may have listened to him and be handling him differently.
Blake finished.
Walton sat.
So, I think this may show he is still willing to adjust. I have criticized him a lot, but these are all +s IMO.
jay says
i like blake playing more minutes, but even so, we seriously need more production out of the pg position on both offense and defense. we can’t just keep a struggling fish out there because once in a while he comes up clutch. It’s time to address the pg situation. seriously.
DirtySanchez says
Well tonights interference rule says game over Spurs win. No need to cry over spilled milk, LA lost in the final 1 tenths of a second. That one point could have been accounted for on several plays over the course of the game. Pau’s missed free throw, not fouling T.P. hard letting him get an and1, and so on. The little things like being up by 7 with 3 minutes to go in the first half, only to be tied at halftime. Thats the difference from being on the winning side of a game like this, not just one event at the end.
robinred says
@ 156
Indeed. I often think about what this team would look like with a younger, more athletic, somewhat better player in that spot. Not a star–just a better player.
But even going 2/8 Blake looked better and more confident out there.
Gr8 Scott says
A tough loss and hopefully another brutal reminder that this team CAN get better through defense. We shot horribly from the perimeter (many wide open misses, too) and still had a chance to win this game. Give credit to the Spurs – they made one more play than we did, even if it was a borderline offensive interference. Sometimes that’s just the way the ball bounces. That said, this could be the final kick in the pants this team needs before a 7 game road trip. Or the kick from the bully that keeps us down. We’ll see.
One positive note – I was glad to see Pau knock down his FTs. And had we boxed out decently, this would have been a very satisfying one point win. This team can still win the West and compete for a title; the margin for error is just going to be much smaller than in previous years.
Lakers8884 says
Anon, just watched it again and I had a zoomed in view, if anything the ball was barely grazing the front of the rim. They clearly made the right call. His hand is clearly 6-8 inches away from the rim, so if the ball was within or above the cylinder that would mean his hand would also have to be above or within the cylinder and it clearly wasn’t. The point where he makes contact with the ball is the key because it clearly shows the location of the ball.
Gr8 Scott says
Also – where were the midcourt tv shots of Eva? Longoria How cool would it have been to see her there rocking a Walton or Bynum jersey cheering on the Lakers? 🙂
Cdog says
Its not our PG position. We haven’t had a good point guard on the Lakers since Nick Van Exel (and we didn’t win with him). Its that we are a predictable team. I watched the Spurs just control us most of the night, and even though we came back and were making their shots tough, we got almost nothing easy. We have no guy on our team against the Top 4 (Orlando, Miami, Boston, San Antonio) that can just be a difference maker (outside of Kobe), and so when he goes flat (due to good coaching and game planning) we are left with Jump shots by Lamar Odom and Shannon Brown. We lost by 1 but only scored 88 points.
I repeat that. 88 Points against the Spurs. And its not like they are a defensive juggernaut of years past, this year they are more of the offensive variety. Our shooters are wide open and just clank, and its becoming very frustrating.
Lakers8884 says
Cdog, that is true the Spurs D isn’t it’s usual caliber. The Knicks ripped them for like 126 or something early in the season.
jay says
we’re not getting much offensively out of artest or fisher, but if we upgrade our pg position then it wont matter that artest is offensively inept. we’ll just need him to hit an open 3 (once in a while he can still do this) and play hard defense. artest is basically gonna be our 3 man for a while because of his awful contract.
i think another factor concerning our struggles has to do with rising talent in the league. obviously other teams are better, and something that always has irked me, is that in crunch time or the games, we can not have our 4 best players on the floor (odom, kobe, bynum, gasol), either bynum or odom is on the bench during those all important minutes.
(Edited for trade speculation)
anon says
your missing a key factor, thr WHOLE ball has to be outside the cylinder so if his had was 6 inches from the rim when he touched the ball that only proves my point that part of the ball was still over the rim, cause last I checked the ball is bigger than 6 inches across. But I guess we’ll just have to agree to disagree
Tej says
Lakers8884, does the rule state if the entire ball has to be over the imaginary cylinder? If not can half the ball be above the rim, and other half off it, thereby allowing a person to touch the half of the ball off the rim to tip it in?
If the rule states it is interference if any part of the ball is above the imaginary cylinder I think it was wrong call.
I am just talking about the rule, don’t care that we lost used to it now.
Darius Soriano says
Game recap is up:
http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2011/02/03/lakersspurs-tip-at-the-buzzer-downs-the-lakers/
robinred says
4-3 on this trip looks likely to me.
Lakers8884 says
That’ fine Anon, you can disagree but every NBA analyst and expert agrees it wasn’t interference, if you actually get a clear view of a zoomed in shot of where his hand and the ball is you can see why the refs didn’t call it. Also I am pretty sure the referees have a better understanding of the rule and a better angle than you do at home.