From Dexter Fishmore, Silver Screen and Roll: In theory, there are ways this could’ve been more embarrassing. The Lakers could’ve lost this badly, say, in Cleveland instead of Charlotte. Kwame Brown could’ve celebrated the Bobcats’ 20-point win by throwing a birthday cake in Luke Walton’s grill. Or the Lakers could’ve all forgotten to wear shorts and been forced to stand at center court while the Bobcats’ cheerleaders pointed and laughed. Barring these scenarios, though, tonight really could not have unfolded any more disastrously for the Lakers, who got their skulls caved in by Charlotte, 89 to 109. Just like that, we have a promising new candidate for Worst Loss of the Season.
From Mark Medina, LA Times: In the words of The Simpsons’ Comic Book Guy, this was the “worst Lakers loss…..ever.” Or at least for the season. I’ll get into the nuts and bolts in latter categories on why the Lakers’ eighth loss in the last 10 games against Charlotte fits that description. But let’s first establish a few things on what this game actually means. It’s not healthy to view this through a sky-is-falling prism, pointing out that the Lakers need to trade their lineup or that the defending champions’ chances to three-peat are already doomed. The Lakers had just gone through a 4-0 start to their seven-game trip and are less than a week removed from defeating the Boston Celtics in what served as their most impressive win of the season. But that’s exactly the same reason why the Lakers and their fans shouldn’t be as equally dismissive either, citing the Lakers’ boredom and fatigue, Kobe Bryant’s illness or other factors to shrug off this loss. What’s more egregious isn’t necessarily that the Lakers didn’t bring a full effort, it’s that this game perfectly captures how the Lakers address their preparation, effort and games in a situational manner.
From Mike Cranston, Lakers.com: Gerald Wallace had 20 points and 11 rebounds and the Charlotte Bobcats routed the Los Angeles Lakers 109-89 on Monday night to extend one of the more bizarre one-sided matchups in the NBA. Gerald Henderson added 18 points for the Bobcats, who have won eight of the past 10 meetings with the defending NBA champions. The Lakers have a winning record against every team except the Boston Celtics – and the Bobcats. And this time it wasn’t even close. While Kobe Bryant scored 20 points, he missed 11 of his first 16 shots as he played despite an illness that kept him from shootaround. Angry Lakers coach Phil Jackson used all but one full timeout before the fourth quarter, but couldn’t prevent the Lakers from their most lopsided loss of the season.
From Brian Kamenetzky, Land O’ Lakers: 19 points at home to Milwaukee. 16 points at home to Miami. 15 points on the road to San Antonio. By 19 at home to Memphis, five at home to Sacramento (when it’s the Kings, the loss need not be by double digits), and 13 at home to Boston. Sunday, it was 14 in Orlando. To the list, Monday’s 20 point loss to the Bobcats can now be added. Phil Jackson, speaking to the media after the game, was brief on a level Calvin Coolidge would have appreciated. “I just have this to say; I’m very disappointed in our performance tonight. I’m embarrassed about what we did. That’s it.”
From Arash Markazi, ESPNLA: Paul Westhead is admittedly an unorthodox coach. The former Shakespeare professor shaped his high-speed coaching philosophy on the smoldering courts of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Nothing was ever too far outside the box for Westhead, not even starting his rookie point guard at center in Game 6 of the NBA Finals in Philadelphia with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar sidelined by a sprained ankle. Johnson played all five positions in what was the most impressive game of his Hall of Fame career. He finished with 42 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists, three steals and a block. The image of Johnson walking to center court for the jump ball against Caldwell Jones before the game is still one of the most indelible in Lakers history. Johnson became the first (and still only) rookie to win NBA Finals MVP en route to winning his first of five championships as a Lakers player.
From Arash Markazi, ESPNLA: It’s hard to pinpoint one moment or one call that defined the career of Chick Hearn, who called 3,338 games in a row and was the play-by-play man for nine championship Lakers teams. Perhaps it was a moment when Hearn wasn’t even there. On Nov. 20, 1965, the Lakers beat the Golden State Warriors 133-117 in Las Vegas while Hearn was in Fayetteville, Ark., stranded in an airport due to inclement weather after calling a college football game. He didn’t miss another game for the next 36 years. Hearn coined the phrases “slam dunk” and “air ball” and provided an exclamation point to wins most fans and players can still recite: “You can put this one in the refrigerator. The door’s closed, the light’s are out, the eggs are cooling, the butter’s getting hard and the Jell-O is jiggling.” Hearn’s streak came to an end Dec. 16, 2001, when he had to have an operation for a blocked aortic valve. He returned April 9, 2002, and called every Lakers playoff game en route to the team’s third consecutive title, an amazing accomplishment considering he fell and broke his hip while recovering from surgery. Two months after the Finals, Hearn fell and struck his head at home. He died on Aug. 5.
Mimsy's Hubby (Jim C.) says
I’m so glad I was out at a restaurant for Valentine’s Day and missed last night’s game.
Joe says
No recap lol. How about this for a recap. The Lakers sucked last night and should be ashamed of themselves for a pitiful effort. No killer instinct to finish the road trip strong. Us NBA fans pay your fricking salary Lakers. The least you can do is go out there and at least give it your all. If you lose fine, but at least play hard!
AK says
Lakers8884, from last nights game thread. I understand your concern. Last year I felt the same way I went to a Utah game during the regular season and the lakers got killed. It pissed me off cuz I payed good money to see them and the jazz fans were pretty happy about beating us. But I was also at game 3 in SLC during last years playoffs, when we won by 1 point and it was amazing! I wish the lakers would play their best all the time for their fans who pay good money to see them but all I want to say is the great times wouldn’t be so great without the bad
mindcrime says
Thank you (for real not sarcastically) for not doing a recap. The Blue and Gold didn’t deserve it today.
LA has to do what it has to do to get to the finish line healthy and rested (enough) to deliver–but as a fan who watches nearly every single Lakers game week in and week out–last night was too much to stomach.
Please guys. Please stop going through the motions so frequently.
Darius Soriano says
FYI, I didn’t do a recap because there really wasn’t much to say. I mean, the Lakers played awful and there really wasn’t much ground to cover beyond that.
My last point is just in regards to fans, I’ve never seen a bunch as spoiled as us. I understand that fans pay good money to see the games. Commenter Lakers8884 traveled 6 hours round trip to see last night’s game and was surely upset and disappointed at the result and how the team played. So, I have a great amount of sympathy there.
But, all the vitriol that gets spewed about this team is a bit much. I’ll never forget a great line that Kurt said on this site during the run up to the 2009 title (or maybe it was very early last year when the Lakers were struggling?) – “I think some fans wouldn’t be happy unless the Lakers win two championships in one year”. It’s just so true…fans consistently want more and I get that. But to not be able to sit back and appreciate what’s been achieved and then look at any current struggles with a bigger picture view of what it actually takes to win is…I really don’t have a word for it. Sometimes I think fans are more arrogant than the players…it’s as if every game should be a guaranteed win or that every game players will be at their best. It’s just not possible.
Again, though, I was upset with last night’s loss. No one wants to see the Lakers play as poorly as they did. I just don’t think they should be condemned for it.
R says
Darius, I’m glad you didn’t do a recap. I think us followers summed it up pretty well. To those who say it’s just one game in February or just one game of a grueling road trip or whatever, I say: no it’s not. It’s about a season long pattern of losing to teams they should beat, supplemented by losing to every single “elite” team with one solitary exception far this year.
I’m going to see the Lakers play the Clippers Feb 25th. I can take comfort in the fact that an LA team will win that night. Not too sure it will be the Lakers though.
Darius Soriano says
#6. There’s a balance to be struck in how much these games matter. In a vacuum, it is just one loss. However, I’ll never be one to minimize the importance of having good habbits and losses like last night’s certainly don’t count as good habbits.
Another angle is that of home court (not necessarily in the entire West, the Spurs are quite a ways ahead) but in the 2nd round it could be an issue if LA loses to much ground to the Mavs. The flip side to that is whether or not the Lakers need home court to beat teams *if* they’re playing strong basketball.
The issue is that every argument for or against has a counter argument that *needs* to be acknowledged. No one side is completely right or completely wrong. There’s a middle ground that I always seek when looking at the team and I try not fall onto any one side as if that perspective holds any more weight. What I do hope for though is that both sides are given their due as being valid takes. It’s comments that potray the team as doomed that irk me. Just as much as those that act like nothing is wrong irk me. Where has the balanced take gone?
R says
Lakers fans spolied? You bet.
Lakers fans as arrogant as the players? ‘cmon … that one made me grin.
By the way, I doubt it’s just the fans who are upset about the Lakers falling flat. Can you imagine what Jerry Buss thinks? I read an interview earlier this season where he stated the standard is winning a championship and falling short is a failure. I think it’s safe to say he backs it up with his wallet. Not to mention a lot of careful planning.
Darius Soriano says
#8. Oh, I’m with you on Dr. Buss wanting the rings to validate his investment. And I’m pretty sure the players get upset with how they play too. Kobe didn’t speak with the media after the game and LO’s quotes were pretty unfiltered about the game too.
But, I think it’s also fair to point out that the players don’t have the luxury of getting too down on themselves. They’ve got more games to play and allowing any one loss to linger too long can be pretty damaging. Bill Parcells (different sport, I know) had a great saying: Never let the same team beat you twice. He meant don’t let a loss linger and have the last game stay in your head when preparing for the next. I think the Lakers do this pretty well and I’m quite happy about that.
And yeah, I think the fans are arrogant. In the last thread one commenter said he’d never give the other team credit for winning! It’s not like the other team employs proffessionals or anything. He stated that the ‘Cats would lose to Ohio State! How does that sound to you? It reeks of arrogance to me…just saying.
Mimsy's Hubby (Jim C.) says
@Darius Soriano
There’s some truth to your criticism that the Lakers are a spoiled fanbase, but I think there’s also a counter argument that Laker fans have a right to be upset if they’re perceiving that the fault is lack of effort rather than lack of talent.
I personally don’t mind Laker losses, and every once in a while even a BAD Laker loss. What I can’t stand though are the games where I get the impression that the Lakers just are mailing it in because it is the regular season and they don’t feel motivated on a given night.
Some could certainly say that last night’s loss was a “scheduled” loss in the sense that it was the 4th game in five nights on the road against a team that, due to whatever Jedi Mind Tricks that they have, routinely have had our number in recent years.
But there is such a thing as a “good” loss vs. a “bad” loss. A good loss is like that one point loss to the Spurs a couple of weeks back. Great effort against a strong team and the Spurs got a lucky tip to steal the game in the final moment of the game. No hanging our heads over that one. The Spurs are a great team and sometimes the bounces don’t go your way.
But far too many of the Laker losses this year have been “bad” loss variety. I know in the big scheme of things, every loss counts the same, but some losses are just losses because the other team played better than you on a given night and other losses give you a definite “canary in a coal mine” vibe.
Multiple double digit losses at home to mediocre to bad teams? Those are bad losses.
Getting blown out by 20 by a 24 win Charlotte team? BAD loss.
In other words, if the Lakers had lost last night by, say, 8-10 points and it was clear that they were just gassed by the schedule but still gave great effort, I wouldn’t be nearly as upset.
Similar logic can be applied to a number of other Laker losses this year.
(Caveat: I did not have a chance to see last night’s game. I’m going largely on the descriptions that I’ve read of Laker effort last night.)
Darius Soriano says
#10. I like how you used my full name. 🙂
You won’t find argument from me on your points. I do think it’s a slippery slope though and that hindsight – as it usually does – makes us more rational. Rarely have I seen any loss greeted with the perspective of “at least they tried hard”. Even after the Spurs loss there was plenty of hand wringing about how the Lakers “can’t beat the good teams” with piling on about how “Ginobili didn’t even play well and they won” and “when Kobe doesn’t play well, this team doesn’t have a chance”. So, while I agree that some fans think the way that you do, I don’t think most fans do.
Again, though, I agree that fans have the right to be upset. All I usually ask for is perspective that furthers the discourse. I don’t think any fan should be convinced of the Lakers prospects at this point in the season. Even me. I have confidence that this team will play better when the playoffs come, but I’m willing to accept the premise that it may not happen.
Archon says
The problem the Lakers have is that other teams treat Laker games like the playoff or at least “measuring stick” games.. Sure they are professionals but its hard to get up for every game and match the intensity of your opponents on a random Monday in February when your the two-time defending champs.
Lakers fans have a right to expect more effort from the team but I completely understand the psychology regarding the players. It’s probably like, “I know what game 7 of the NBA finals feel like, and this ain’t it”.
Mimsy's Hubby (Jim C.) says
#11
Force of habit. On another forum I comment on, using the @(insert full name) thing triggers a message to the person to let them know that their comment has been replied to.
It’s difficult to say with any certainty how the Lakers will play come playoff time because of how inconsistent this team has been. Some nights, like against the Knicks, our boys look like the champions they are.
On other nights they’re unrecognizable and I find myself very convinced of an early playoff exit.
I also find myself wondering how much the return of Matt Barnes will help this group. He brought an energy and toughness that I think has been lacking quite often since he went down. He really allowed a lot more flexibility for Phil with lineups.
mindcrime says
No vitriol from me. No hate. No arrogance. Just frustration with a failure to do the little things night in night out that are necessary to win…starting with consistent effort.
Darius Soriano says
#14. I think we all feel that frustration to some extent.
DY says
I think Mitch Kupchack’s “we may need to trade” threat worked for about 2-3 games. The team responded by beating a few teams and went 4-0 on the first leg of the road trip. Seems like that threat has been assessed by the team to be a “paper tiger,” and now they’re playing with the same mentality that only playoffs matter.
What happens once the trade deadline passes and the non-motivated players have 2 months to play wholly un-passionate and uninspired basketball?
Darius Soriano says
#16. I wouldn’t go so far as to say the players are unmotivated. The trek for a third straight ring is one that all of these guys seem hungry for. That said, it will be hard and no one outside of Kobe, Fisher, and Phil have been down this path. Even repeating (which LO and Pau and Shannon have now done) doesn’t compare to what this accomplishment will take.
John Morris says
Do you think the Lakers’ coaching staff is preaching that the Cavs will certainly come in to Wednesday’s game with revenge (for that 55-point slapdown) on their mind? I know I would be. There’s already enough pissed off Lakers fans here.
When is Matt Barnes coming back?
BlizzardOfOz says
I’m not sure why any fan who has been following the Lakers for more than a year would watch Lakers@Bobcats. It’s guaranteed to be frustrating to watch, excruciatingly dull, and a humiliating loss for the Lakers. I’d watch Bobcats@Lakers, just for the morbid curiosity of watching a train wreck in slow motion.
But worst loss of the season? Please, it was completely predictable, just look at the record.
Chris J says
I don’t want to overreact to last night’s loss; four games in five days on the road is difficult, especially for an older team.
The one ongoing concern I see on this team — same as the past two years — was a lack of consistent good looks on offense. This team has an annoying tendency to go away from the offense, go away from feeding the bigs and/or attacking the lane. And frankly, they do not have enough good outside shooters to get by with such an approach.
I think that’s what drives me more crazy than the losses — it’s the way they play that leads to those losses; too many missed jumpers by Fish or Blake, missed three-pointers from Artest, or rushed shots from Shannon. Several minute-stretches when the ball never comes near the paint until it’s rebounded at the rim. There’s no point in that kind of play, aside from nonchalance.
Also, does anyone else note the irony in the main criticism of the Shaq-era Lakers was those teams, taking their cue from Shaq, mailed in a lot of regular season games and only ramped things up for the playoffs, which supposedly irked afro-era Kobe, who wanted to compete all the time?
Looks like older legs have brought Kobe around to Shaq’s line of thinking. Five rings and counting, so I’m not going to question the results.
joel says
I’ve been saying all season it’s not *just* a mental thing with the lakers or a lack of effort. They have serious issues. Especially defensively. Just look at the picture Dexter Fishmore posted in the first link on the page. You have Odom not guarding anyone. Blake 5 feet off the three point shooter, Pau standing in the low block eyes fixed on the ball handler as his man is moving to the other side of the court. Simply executing one’s offense will expose that type of defense day in and day out.
They lakers have to improve individually before they can improve collectively.
Start with Kobe, he’s going to have to attempt to play defense sooner or later. We know he can defend with the best of them. But too often we just see Kobe not doing anything on the defensive end allowing his man to wonder around freely. It works on Rondo, but not everyone else. Little known opposing sg’s have consistently had good games versus Kobe, because Kobe doesn’t defend them.
Gasol, has to start contesting shots, moving his feet better on the defensive end, and anticipating what the offensive players are going to do. He too often looks like he has the brick shoes Ron wore last year. I rarely hear the stu and joel saying nice contest on that shot or Pau altered that shot. (its something they say about drew all the time). On the offensive end, he needs to be an offensive threat at all times. This guy was defended by 6’8 no defense Boris Diaw and he can only muster up 17 points. He should’ve been going to work on him all night. He needs to step up and demand the ball and go to work. Pau has been nothing but a jump shooter lately.
Derek Fisher…we know he can’t defend, we know. But at some point he’s going to have to make an open shot.
Artest…??? He’s just about does everything wrong.
Odom…just concentrate a little more on his freethrows. He’s been getting to the line but not converting.
Bynum…just attempt to use glass a bit more.
Brown…pass the damn ball. There isn’t a shot he doesn’t like. Brown has tools to be a good defender but he has a poor grasp the fundamentals. And the truth is Brown is a one dimensional player. He isn’t a knock down jumpshooter, he’s a streaky scorer that is a below average ball handler and play maker. So when a good shot isn’t there just make the next easiest pass.
Blake…shoot the damn ball. I think blake’s struggles are a bit exaggerated. But he has to stop deferring so much to brown and others and take open shots.
Walton…when phil signals you to check in, humbly decline.
Darius Soriano says
A new post is up. (Joel, you may want to move your comment to the new thread.)
http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2011/02/15/needing-some-rest/
Craig W. says
Chris J,
I have never heard Kobe pass off a loss as ‘just a regular season game’.
I understand, I had long since turned off the TV and radios, that Kobe skipped out of the locker room very quickly without talking to anyone. To me that suggests disgust with his and his teammates’ performance as much as it does his illness.
While Kobe may be older and wiser than he was 10 years ago, I don’t see any evidence that he doesn’t care about every game on the schedule. He is known for wanting to give the paying customers their money’s worth. Last night he was apparently quite sick.
It just goes to show how much we are spoiled that I just wrote the previous paragraphs about someone who scored 20 points in the game.
Joe says
Darius, if this Laker team went out there, gave it there all every game, took the regular season seriously…..something they get paid millions of dollars to do, I would have no grip. The Lakers team we have is arrogant, just plain arrogant, so arrogant they can’t get up for a game unless it is seriously needed. They bagged this roadtrip after the win in Boston. Not that they did not try at all, but they stopped taking the games so seriously after they got the media off their backs after the Boston win. 4 games in 5 days is tough, but in no way shape or form should this team have lost by 20 to the Bobcats. I know losses are natural, but it is the overall demeanor about the team that bothers me and other fans, it is not really just the losses themselves.
We are arrogant?? I am nothing but arrogant. If I was arrogant I would be like…you know the Lakers can go in the 8th seed in the playoffs and will still win the championship. Something you and other fans would probably bet on them doing. (sarcasm). The reason why the regular season is important and should be taking more seriously by the team is because you want to get the higest seed in the playoffs possible. The higher seed you are the better chance you have at winning, pretty logical. Not just assume your best will be good enough come playoff time. That I take a lot of pride in, giving it your all which the players should be giving us each and every night. The fact that they don’t do that is arrogance on the players, not on us fans. Believe me, we would “enjoy the journey” more if the team just had a more serious demeanor.
Lakers8884 says
19. BlizzardofOz, I live in Tennessee so the drive to Charlotte is one of the few games I can make in a season. I knew going in there was a great chance that they would lose given their history at their place, however, with that being said that WAS the worst loss of the season. Look at my postgame comments last night after I got home from the game, not once did I say this Lakers team won’t win a title or any of that crap. I was merely angry by their humiliating performance. I actually wouldn’t have cared if they lost by a few points in a competitive game because at least they showed up to play and give effort rather than pack it in after one half. When the Lakers actually got down by 10+ points I told a Charlotte fan next to me that I hoped Kobe would at least go into hero mode and score 40+ points so I could get some kind of show, but I didn’t get anything resembling any competitive nature. If anyone thinks I am being irrational how about you go and ask Charlotte fans who went to the game expecting great performances from players like Pau, Kobe and Lamar. Last night was just a regular season game, BUT that is no excuse on any level for the type of effort they gave.
Darius, being there at the game I will say one thing I was very frustrated by Bynum’s lack of minutes. I thought he played very well and was very active in the minutes he had (the kid is a BEAST), and after reading his postgame comments today it sounds like he was just as frustrated as I was. Phil’s rotation made no sense last night considering how poor Pau played on defense. I know for a fact Drew could have played better D on Nazr Mohammad (a UK graduate I may add) who singlehandedly school Pau on all facets on the offensive end.