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A Lakers Blog. Thoughts, reflections, and the odd rant on the Los Angeles Lakers and the NBA (even the Clippers).

Preview and Chat: The Charlotte Bobcats

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Records: Lakers 43-19 (3rd in West), Bobcats 26-34 (9th in East)
Offensive ratings: Lakers 111.7 (2nd in NBA), Bobcats 103.5 (25th in NBA)
Defensive ratings: Lakers 104.8 (10th in NBA), Bobcats 106.9 (14th in NBA)
Projected Starting Lineups: Lakers: Derek Fisher, Kobe Bryant, Ron Artest, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum
Bobcats: DJ Augustin, Gerald Henderson, Stephen Jackson, Boris Diaw, Kwame Brown
Injuries: Lakers: Theo Ratliff (out); Bobcats: DeSagana Diop and Tyrus Thomas (out)

The Lakers Coming in: The Lakers should be well rested after not having played since Tuesday in Minnesota but hopefully that rest hasn’t brought on any rust. After all, they’ve won 5 consecutive games and surely want the positive momentum to continue. Getting Matt Barnes will help with that as he’s set to make his return to action this evening. And really, this is just in time. Even with Ron playing better since the all-star break and Kobe doing his normal stand out job of filling in at SF, Luke Walton has been struggling in his 5-10 minutes he gets each night and the Lakers need someone to step up and normalize the rotation. Matt should be that guy and if he’s able to pick up where he left off before his injury, his slashing, rebounding, defense, and running the floor will be a welcomed addition to the team.

The Bobcats Coming in: The ‘Cats have long been a team that’s tried to compete with overpriced veterans in order to try and sneak into the playoffs. Last year that got them an 8th seed in the playoffs and this year that same approach has had them hovering right on the edge of earning that same seed. And while this strategy may have earned the organization some much needed playoff revenue, longterm this wasn’t going to be a successful strategy and they finally did something about it by dealing away their best player right before the trade deadline. Now Gerald Wallace is a Blazer and in return the Bobcats can start their rebuilding process around some of their younger players. Yes, Stephen Jackson and Boris Diaw remain, but this team will soon be about the contributions that DJ Augustin, Gerald Henderson, and Tyrus Thomas can provide. With another (likely) lottery pick coming this summer the Cats will hit the reset button and see if they can compete in a couple of years with a homegrown roster.

There are still games to be played this year and after the Wallace trade, they’re 1-2 in those games. With Augustin and Jackson they still have good perimeter threats and Henderson gives them some athleticism and an improving mid-range game. Kwame continues to redeem himself with solid interior defense and rebounding while Diaw flashes his all-around game. But overall this team just doesn’t have enough talent to compete against the better teams in the league and the trade has deflated them somewhat. Surely all they’re looking to do is close the year with a respectable showing and build some momentum going into next season.

Bobcats Blogs: Be sure to check out Queen City Hoops for all your ‘Cats news. Also give a visit to Rufus on Fire, another quality site.

Keys to game: Forget the X’s and O’s for one night. This game is about pride and revenge. The ‘Cats handed out a beat down the last time these two teams met and started the Lakers down a losing stretch that seems to have been their low point of the season. Yes there were circumstances that contributed to the Lakers poor play (back to back game that was LA’s 4th in 5 nights) but in the end the Lakers were embarrassed and had their hats handed to them by a team that consistently gives them issues.

So while tonight’s game is about continuing to build momentum going into Sunday’s game with the Spurs, it’s just as much about delivering some payback to a team that would love nothing more than to sweep the season series against the defending champs.

All I’m looking for tonight is smart, tough play from the home team. Take the ball inside against Diaw and make him defend and rebound against Gasol and Bynum. Penetrate the ball via the drive and the pass and try to get their big men to foul of give up baskets. The Lakers really need to try and control the paint on both ends and there’s no excuse but to be relentless in their onslaught of the three second area.

Defensively if there’s one area that hurt the Lakers the last game it was their inability to cover the perimeter oriented bigs off P&R’s and kick outs off penetration. Gasol will have his hands full early in this game ensuring that Diaw doesn’t get the clean looks he got the last game; looks that really spurred on Charlotte’s early attack. If Pau’s not able to stick with Diaw because he’s closing off the paint or helping on the P&R, LA’s wings will have to rotate to compensate to ensure that no looks go uncontested.

Again, though, I’m less worried about what the Lakers do on either side of the ball and more focused on how they do it. If the Lakers play hard and smart they can make some mistakes in this game and still come out on top because their effort will carry them home. If they come out flat, even this depleted team will hang with them tonight. Obviously, I’m hoping that the former is true tonight.

Where you can watch: 7:30pm start time on Fox Sports West. Also listen at ESPN Radio 710am.


Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. kwame a. says

    We need to have this one. With Spurs, Hawks, Heat, Magic looming, we need to have this one. Revenge for them partying like it was Game 7 will only be the icing.

  4. Gr8 Scott says

    Next week is a huge week for our team -in terms of the competition being played and the fact that all 4 games are on the road. Tonight’s contest should not be overlooked and should serve as a primer for bigger contests. Let’s throttle them into submission….Go Lakers!

  5. Igor Avidon says

    Without Nazr there to drop 57 pts and 35 rebounds on us, we should have a small chance of pulling this one out.

  6. Sedale says

    Welcome back Barnes! I hope the Lakers remember what Charlotte did to them last time; I want them to go for the throat tonight!

  7. Taylor says

    It’s still unbelievable that we’ve lost 8 out of the last 10 to the ‘Cats. Only them and the Cs do we have a losing history. Let’s start the correcting tonight. I’m glad the whipped up on us last time, I think that is a great motivator to use as to not look over this game to the Spurs. I’m expecting focus.

  9. Craig W. says

    Thanks for bringing that up Dude. I add my voice to finding out whether or not Kobe and Pau are carrying one more tech than they deserve.

  12. Darius Soriano says

    BTW, I’m looking for information on those technical fouls. There’s got to be a place where that information lives but I have not yet found it.

  13. JB says

    Nothing on Google News over the past week for either player.

    On a side note, how annoying is it that after, what, nine years, half the announcers still can’t pronounce Gasol’s name? I hear “Paul Cassell” all the time. Or “Paw Gassell”.

    “POW Gas-OL”. It’s not hard. Kenny Smith.

  14. exhelodrvr says

    They were talking about the Kings potentially coming to Anaheim; he called in and said that he doubted it would work, because no Lakers fans would be caught dead being Kings fans, and the Clippers appear to be headed the right direction, so Clippers fans wouldn’t switch over, either.

  15. R says

    The Kings need to move to San Jose.

    The HP Pavilion would be a fine venue for them.

    Even more important, I live nearby!

  16. noles says

    This is how much I hate LeChoke and the rest of the Heat. I think I’m actually rooting for the Spurs tonight even though they’re ahead of us in the standings. Of course, with them being that many games ahead of us, it makes it a bit easier to root for them…

    Let’s hope we come out strong tonight, go for the kill, and take care of business early so that we can be rested and ready for the big 4 game roadie coming up.

  17. Igor Avidon says

    I would be for any team moving to Anaheim for one reason only – the Lakers wouldn’t have to travel as much during the regular season. This would essentially gives our team another 4 games in their own backyard.

  20. Dan says

    Just a quick tangent – to anybody who is watching the Spurs demolishing of the Heat (so far), and not that it matters once the games are actually played, but how is everyone considering the Heat the favorites to win the title this year? They have a subpar record against teams with winning records, and a terrible record in games decided by 5 pts and less.

    On a related note, the Heat seem to be just like the Cavs with Lebron, in that they absolutely demolish weak teams (I think the Heat are 49-2 against losing teams, or something like that) and that led the Cavs to having the best regular season record a couple years in a row, though they would falter in the playoffs. Can anyone lend insight as to what Lebron is doing that the teams he plays on dispose of weak teams easily but always struggle against the good teams? I have my own theories but I’d like to hear anybody elses…

  21. Zephid says

    5 Heat players have attempted 1 or no shots (zero makes), while Lebron, Wade, and Bosh have 11, 9, and 9 shots, respectively. Compare to San Antonio, where no Spur has taken less than 4 shots or more than 8. I guess this is the ultimate team vs. talent match-up.

  22. Zephid says

    20, I’d say that above .500 teams tend to have better defensive systems, so they’re more capable of withstanding Lebron’s assault. Teams with less effective defensive systems tend to lose a lot of games (be below .500), but also allow an athletic monster like James to score and facilitate unopposed.

  23. Min says

    I’m always surprised that I feel much better when I see a Kobe/Gasol fastbreak vs. a Kobe/Fisher fastbreak.

  25. JB says

    I’m starting to think LeBron is the anti-Kobe. He shows up huge in the first and second quarters, then goes into distribution mode and passes up every big shot in the fourth.

  29. The Dude Abides says

    I like the way the majority of the team is playing so far. However, I’m disappointed that Phil is playing Luke instead of Barnes. To me, this is folly unless Barnes just isn’t ready.

    Edit – apparently Barnes isn’t ready to go

  30. mindcrime says

    If Barnes is ready to go, why the heck is Walton in the game? Did Barnes have a setback? I thought I heard Stu say that Barnes was out shooting before the game, but isn’t even on the bench…..

  32. Darius Soriano says

    So, Barnes “irritated his knee” during warmups and is listed as day to day. That’s why we’ve seen Luke. All I want is him 100% when he gets back. If that’s Sunday, great. If not, just rest up and get back when fully healthy. We’ll need him for the playoffs.

  34. Aaron says

    Did I say it would take “4-6 weeks” before Bynum would get his hops back after just regaining his wind? I guess I meant 4-6 games.

  35. VoR says

    At the half watching the end of Spurs/Heat. Spoelstra is sitting on the bench and you can see him thinking, “Where am I going to be working next year?”

  36. Zephid says

    Talk about ugly basketball. I think I’d be better served turning this one off and enjoying Double XP weekend on Black Ops…

  37. Snoopy2006 says

    Watched this Spurs-Heat massacre, and wow. I’m going to be watching our transition defense this Sunday; Parker looks like Rondo in transition, pushing the ball and finding 3-point shooters on the break.

    Lebron must be the worst soldier on the planet.

    Also watched the Bulls-Magic game. I was surprised by how out of sorts the Bulls offense was in the first quarter – their spacing was so bad, I twice saw players bump into each other. It’s like they didn’t know where to go.

    After that quarter, though, it turned around. Very impressed with Asik lately as a solid role player. Gritty, ugly style of play, good positioning on man-to-man D, fits perfectly with Thibodeau’s style.

    I wonder how much Carlos Boozer will disappoint Chicago fans in the playoffs. Out of the East, the Bulls are the only team I’m pulling for.

  39. Snoopy2006 says

    Also, in case anyone didn’t see the game – yes, the Spurs were good, but the Heat’s defense was just. that. bad. I’ve rarely seen such awful rotations on the professional basketball level.

  41. Glove says

    Fisher headed to locker room after getting left arm pulled back by Kwame Brown on a rebound

  42. 3ThreeIII says

    This is the regular season, so I get that part… but I will never understand the Laker’s shot distribution.

    Gasol and Bynum are 8 for 12 FGs, and 7 for 8 FT. So, by all means, let’s make sure that Kobe, Fish, Blake, and Brown get as many long twos up as possible… 12 for 39 FGs.

    Just dumb.

    That said, regular season.

    Edit: Kaifa. Jinx!

  43. Kaifa says

    The Bulls are my team in the east as well. Love the way Noah communicates and motivates. Hate Boozer. Rose is playing great, but his style of dribbling and probing for much of the 24 seconds is not my favorite. Still, they’re the most intriguing to me, especially after that ridiculous series against the Celtics a couple of seasons ago.

    Start of the 4th:
    Kobe/Artest/Fisher – 14-41 FG
    Bynum/Gasol – 8-12 FG

    Edit: @3ThreeIII: Great minds think alike. 😉

  45. Aaron says

    I love Phil… Bynum dominates the last two games (on the boards and defensivley) and Phil rewards him with crunch time minutes switching around his 2nd half rotations. If haven’t noticed… When Bynum wasn’t able to dominate defensively and was just able to score points early in the year…. Phil never played him to end games. Is he treating drew like a child? Yes. Is he right? Yes!

  46. Snoopy2006 says

    Oh damn I just saw the Fisher injury on Sportscenter. That looks brutal. Any update on his status?

    Edit – nvm, just saw the Glove’s post. Trying to find the positive in things, maybe starting for a couple games will help Steve Blake be more assertive. His high point of the season came in our very first game, when he was given crunch-time minutes right away.

  49. Kaifa says

    As it seems, our PFs are also better ballhandlers than our PGs! Fancy dribbling there, Pau and Lamar!

  50. Aaron says

    Well… Bynum would have gotten crunch time minutes if the Lakers didn’t stay ahead letting Phil keep Bynum, Kobe, and Artest on the bench.

    Re: Fisher
    I’m thinking Brown should start instead of Blake. Blake is a back up PG… Shannon has starter type talent at PG, especially defensively.

  52. The Dude Abides says

    I fail to see how having Luke Walton in the game at SF is a better option than having a front line of Drew, Pau, and LO. Phil rewards Drew’s great game by leaving him on the bench the entire 4th quarter so he can only tie his career highs in rebounds and blocks, and doesn’t get a double-double. Or maybe tonight is a ”teaching moment?”

  53. Zephid says

    52, the fewer minutes Bynum plays, the better. I think Phil was right to hold out Bynum, along with Kobe and Artest. Those are really the three guys who need to have their minutes kept down to remain fresh for the playoffs. I think all Phil cares about is Bynum having this sort of dominating performance in the playoffs, not against Charlotte in March.

  54. Kaifa says

    Props to Bynum for staying so active throughout even while being overlooked on offense.

    That’s really worth mentioning because for the bigs it’s a wrestling match all game long, setting picks, working for position, boxing out. It get’s pretty frustrating to just work physically all the time and not get rewarded for it by being allowed to make a play that makes basketball fun.

    That’s why Gasol loves to lead the break, it’s a rare chance to enjoy instead of work. And compared to Bynum, he’s far more involved in the offense.

  55. VoR says

    This was a game where it was tough to watch Kobe. Was he gunning for a record of some sort? It looked like he was just forcing so many shots and playing iso most of the game and I couldn’t understand why.

    Loved Bynum though. Man, if he can stay healthy…..

  56. The Dude Abides says

    Zephid, I see your point but at what point does Drew gain experience this season in crunch time? Pau played 39 minutes tonight. Drew could have come in for him anytime in the last six minutes. He could have come in for Luke at some point. Due to his cumulative injuries, Luke has become just about the worst player in the league. On nights when our bigs aren’t in foul trouble, it would be nice to see our giant front line.

  57. Aaron says

    dude,
    Phil sets his crunch time rotation in the 3rd quarter. If the game is in hand he keeps that core group on the bench. Phil doesn’t put players back in the game to end games so they can set records…. or Kobe would have more than 81 points in a game. Remember that 62 he put upnagainst Dallas in 3 quarters? Phil does that to remind his players what is really important along with keeping his top players hungry. In this game Gasol, Odom, and Walton didn’t play with the same fire as Bynum, Artest, and Kobe… So they were forced to play meaningless 4th quarter minutes. As far as experience in crunch time for Bynum… I agree, but there are 20 games left for him to get crunch time experience.

  58. Aaron says

    …and I wouldn’t call playing the last few minutes at home against the bobcats while up by double digits “crunch time experience” 😉

  59. The Dude Abides says

    Picking up personal stats is just icing on the cake, I agree. But it sure would be nice to reward the guy for his stellar defense. And with Phil’s penchant for experimenting, why not try our big front line once in awhile when we have a comfortable lead? I used to be one of Luke’s defenders, but now just seeing him on the court makes me want to throw the remote at my TV.

  60. Aaron says

    Dude,
    Yeah… Luke Walton is awful but we don’t have another back up SF since Barnes is out. And I agree Andrew should be rewarded… But he was rewarded. Andrew is smart… He knows he was taken out to start the 4th instead of being taken out midway through the 3rd like usual so Phil could put him back in midway through the 4th to finish the game. Andrew knows this. In this situation like Kobe and Artest… The game was out of hand so Jackson could leave Big drew on the bench. We all know the last few seasons as soon as “The Beast” gets rolling he soon after gets hurt. No reason to play him when the game is over. When he gets this type of explosion off the floor he has gotten injured within 4 weeks since even before Gasol arrived. His knees haven’t been able to handle the type of impact Andrew has given them once he is going full throttle. So hold your breath Laker nation. The clock just started ticking…

  62. Busboys4me says

    Phil stated that he did not like any part of tonights game. They did not run the offense as expressed by everyone here. He felt that they will get their asses kicked if they play that way Sunday. San Antonio showed tonight how to play the game. They penetrated and hit their open 3s. Too bad we don’t have true shooters like they do. So I guess we just have to POUND THE BALL INSIDE. Why is that so hard for us to do?

  63. Joe says

    Sunday we will see just how “real” this Laker team is. And I dont want to hear it is just another game crap, it is a statement game just as much and probably even more than the Boston game. Those guys don’t want to fall 0-3 to that team this season. So far the Lakers since the all Star break have proved they are still a great team that still wants to win a championship, but the best team? Lets see how they fair Sunday. Even if they don’t win I want to see how much of the game they can control .