Much like when the NFL preseason reaches its final game, the real dress rehearsals for the Lakers are behind them. So while tonight offers the last game action before the regular season begins on Tuesday, this contest won’t actually be treated as the lead-in to that night. As with the previous game, Kobe will sit out and I would expect there to be plenty of minutes available to the reserve group that features Julius Randle, Ed Davis, and Jeremy Lin.
In any event, there’s really no point in getting too deep into this specific game. I’ve no clue if the Kings are going to take this contest seriously or not, but I know the goal for both sides is to leave the game as healthy as they entered it so they can proceed with prepping towards their respective season openers. While there are always things to learn about your team with habits to form and trends to evaluate, this contest isn’t really about those things. No, get in and get out with a healthy team and move onto the real games.
With that, I leave it to you all in the comments to discuss whatever you see fit.
Where you can watch: 7:00pm start time on TWC Sportsnet. Also listen at ESPN Radio 710AM.
Tra says
I stated on several occasions last season within our FB&G Community that the ’13 – ’14 campaign would be the last for Steve Nash. Therefore, I can’t say that I’m surprised by this turn of events. The only difference being is that I was of the belief that he would just walk away from the game and retire. In hindsight, I should’ve realized that 10 mil – no matter how much bread one has accumulated throughout his/her career – is pretty hard to walk away from.
Due to the fact that he was a Sun, Nash, for me, was one of those kats I *loved* to *hate*. Seemed like he never missed a jumpshot against us (hated it). And just by the way he led that Phoenix team and controlled the offense like a true Point Guard should (loved it), it got me to calling him ‘General Nash’. I, for one, at the time, was ecstatic when I heard that we acquired him. Was he the same ‘General Nash’ that use to give us the business? Not at all. But with all due respect to Ramone Sessions (who I was a fan of), he was better then what we had at the time and was an All-Star the year before. Also, it should be mentioned, that by him teaming up with Kobe, Dwight and ‘The Spaniard’, he wouldn’t have to be Steve Nash, circa ’04-’06. Unfortunately, we all know how that turned out.
With that being said, I wish the future 1st ballot HOF’er all the best in his future endeavors. I believe I can say for certain that, coming out of Santa Clara College, no one expected him to accomplish what he accomplished in the Association. Leaving as one of the Top Ten PG’s in NBA History.
For the last time: Much Respect ‘General Nash’ .. Much Respect
Hale says
pre-season basketball at its preseasoniest.
KenOak says
Ed Davis is looking really good. Not a bad pick up for us. I have a feeling that Hill will get moved this year to a contender around the trade deadline.
dxmanners says
I would wish Steve Nash a happy retirement if he ever would acknowledge that he can’t beat Father Time and needs to hang them up. When you hurt yourself carrying luggage, it’s a pretty good sign that you’re done. Everyone should stop kissing his butt at this point and see him for what he really is, a really good basketball player who won’t retire in order to get the rest of his money. Never mind he’s made several boatloads already….
KO says
Sacre. Is a waste of space. Worthless.
More fouls then points and stood and watched last play.
Cut the guy and he can watch with Nash.
PG appears to be big problem now if Price is down. Suns have 4 Lakers one. Didn’t I see this movie last year. Do your farm job Mitch.
Aaron says
This was the perfect regular season game. Scott is in midseason form. We have Randle play well (again) and we take him out with five minutes left with a nice lead and we lose the game because of it.
mud says
ok, well…
on to the season.
i hope there aren’t any serious injuries from this game for either team.
melcountscounts says
Antawn Jamison just said he was impressed with the Lakers’ “hustleness”. Makes Stu Lantz seem like Walter Cronkite. Just put Kelli Tennant on, at least she’s nice to look at.
mud says
Aaron, i can relate to that last post as a fan who likes to see a win, but i’m glad that Randle was out at the end.
Aaron says
mud,
I was saying I was glad Randle didn’t play the play the last five minutes as well. That’s the perfect regular season game. Randle plays well and we take him out in time to get the loss.
G says
Lakers have a lot of trouble defending without fouling. They might have the worst defense in the NBA.
alfharidi says
Aaron I hope one day you will write a book with your comments
Oldtimer says
That’s true dxmanners with regards to your comments on Steve Nash, most of the posts here refer to his ending career as a consummate PG, not the persona of a consummate businessman hanging on to the contents of his contract. He should take the high road and imitate what Vlade Divac did when his backaches interfered with his return to the Lakers. He changed his contract from player to scout, I don’t know the financial considerations involved there. Well, in the case of Steve, he hasn’t done anything substantial for the Lakers since traded in 2012 and earned already $ 18.2M with $9.7M left. Of course, those are the calculated risks Mitch took which were good at that time of the trade. It did not turn out as planned but it is better than not trying at all. Steve, is it really fair to pocket the whole amount of your last year without working for the good of the team? That refers to character too, being the professional PG, a MVP and a future hall of famer, isn’t it? Scott said that if he continues to be a Laker, Byron is willing to create a de facto assistant coach for Steve to guide the PG or another possible position that may be scouting for future Lakers PG.
Losing in the preseason which was actually practice games is OK but it portrays the signs of good and bad habits developing in the team down the road. Losing twice on missed FT’s and not closing the deal in the waning minutes, is not a good habit after showing its strenght in gaining a double digit lead against the starters of the Kings. Well, Smith and Brown just signed off their season with the Lakers. Mitch will only sign 14 players, maybe Nash is the odd man out if they can do something with his contract or else it will be a choice between Ellington or Price. Both players are assets to the Lakers, there should be a 3rd PG with frail health of the other two; Lakers need also a perimeter shooter and Ellington could be that player.
Chris J says
“He should take the high road…”
—
It’s much easier for someone to say what another “should” do, but if you were in Nash’s shoes, would you walk away from $9 million to which you were 100 percent legally required to receive?
Professional teams know there’s a risk of injury when signing players to deals, yet the Lakers offered Nash a three-year deal when he was 39. Is that Nash’s fault? Likewise, no one is suggesting the organization should be giving back the money fans paid over the past few seasons because they either wanted to see Nash play, or were excited about the team’s chances because he was added to the roster, had been used to promote the team on ads and so on.
I for one bought tickets to take my family to a November 2012 game in part to see Nash. He broke his leg before that game and didn’t play, but the Lakers didn’t cut me a check because I didn’t receive all I expected at the time my transaction was made. (If anything, I would have wanted my money back after being forced to watch Dwight miss nine free throws, which in large part led to the Lakers losing by two points… but I digress.)
Multiply that out by 20,000+ ticket buyers over 41+ games per year, and you get my point…
Hell, the promotional value associated with that Sports Illustrated cover alone was worth a ton of money. You can’t buy free media value like that; it’s priceless. To suggest the Lakers saw no monetary value from Nash’s tenure in L.A., so Nash therefore should feel pressure give back the money… I just can’t agree with that position.
BigCitySid says
So glad when preseason ends and the games that count begin. No more “it’s only the preseason” excuses. Time to take a look at the schedule. Many NFL coaches like to review their team’s progress every four games, like a marking period when we were in school. In the NBA, I like to do that every ten games or so.
Six of the Lakers 1st ten games are at home, however six of their 1st eight games are back to back games. Yes, six of their 1st eight are back to backs. Seven games are against playoff teams from last year, plus two vs the Suns and Anthony Davis’ Pelicans in New Orleans.
game 1- 10/28 vs Rockets
” 2- 10/29 @ Suns (1st B2B)
” 3- 10/31 vs Clips
” 4- 11/1 @ Warriors (2nd B2B)
” 5- 11/4 vs Suns
” 6- 11/9 vs Hornets
” 7- 11/11 @ Grizz
” 8- 11/12 @ Pelicans (3rd B2B)
” 9- 11/14 vs Spurs
” 10- 11/16 vs Warriors
Realistically, I see them going 3-7.
Really interested to know how those who see the Lakers making the playoffs see the outcome of the 1st ten games.
KenOak says
I see the Lakers going 4-6 through the first 10 games. I like us against the Rockets, Suns (once), Hornets, and Pelicans. Entirely possible that they steal one more and go 5-5, but it is just as likely that they lose one more and go 3-7 as you predict. 5 of those games are against teams that are probably the top 5 in the West…Not a good barometer IMO to determine if the Lakers can squeeze into the 8th seed.
Agree says
The first week schedule is brutal enough. The west is just so stacked with talent, nearly every team is good enough to win any given night. I’m pretty optimistic about this team if Lin/Kobe can go off a bunch of games that will provide instant offensive boost. If Davis gets a lot of PT and they can get some guys back soon (Henry?) then maybe they can go 5-5? I think they can surprise Houston game 1, and split with the Suns, beat the hornets, grizzlies and Pelicans. I think that its likely they are going to lose to the Clips, Spurs, Warriors even if they play pretty well.
I’m not someone that see them making the playoffs, maybe, just maybe they could sneak in to the 8th spot this year if everyone stays healthy and Kobe/Lin can put up really good numbers this year. But they really need Henry back, and clearly Young being back will give the bench someone to create and drain 3’s. I’m hoping the make the playoffs or at least are fighting for the spot by the end of the season–that’s the most optimistic I can get at this point. I view Lin/Kobe as X factors–since they both are capable of going off and dominating games, if Davis plays alot and Randle gets it together and they sit Boozer on the bench most of the time I think they have a shot. If it’s old school slow fest for the 1st Unit, I think they will be lucky to win more than 30. I think the variability on this team is pretty huge, they do have some hidden talents in Lin/Davis/Randle that could be far more impactfull than many imagine. And of Course if Kobe can be 80% of his old self and pass a bit more, he will show a lot of teams that you better still fear a 36yr old future HOF’er.
R says
I don’t agree either that Nash somehow “should” give money back to Lakers ownership. Uh, whatever for?
Shaun says
Nash married and then divorced a gold digger from brazil…. he needs the money
Dave says
BigCitySid – that is a brutal first ten games. Your prediction of 3-7 is my optimistic view. Realistically, we are looking at 2-8 or 1-9. The only sure win is vs the Hornets at home after 5 days off.
It is quite possible that we are ‘for sure’ out of the race before January 1st.
dxmanners says
Never suggested that Nash give any money back-sure the PA wouldn’t allow that anyway. But if he retires perhaps the Lakers could use the injury clause, and spread out his contract over three years against the cap (I believe that’s right).
He’s made almost 137 Million over his career. That’ll make a lot of movies. I really don’t think he was hanging on for the money, but just desperate to keep playing. Some guys just don’t want to go home. With Nash, I’m surprised-he’s a smart guy, with lots of other interests-he has a lot to contribute to the world post basketball.
If he could donate some of the contract, create a foundation, etc., that would be a good publicity move, by the way.
Worst trade in Laker history, bar none. That said, I like Lin and Clarkson. The next few years will be brutal, would love to see them keep their pick for the next draft, only way to get better at this point is through the draft.
KO says
On subject of giving money back!
Buss family should give money back to Time Warner( rating down 38%) and long time Laker fans then.
Show me the money!
Chearn says
Realistically, the Lakers could be 0-10 in the first games as they adjust to each other. At this juncture, the Lakers have yet to play with a static lineup, the first few games will be about the team gaining familiarity with one another’s tendencies.
I’d like to see the Lakers play competitively, efficiently, and show progression towards some semblance of an identity. One area I think the Lakers have to improve on is their floor spacing on fast breaks. They are abysmal spacing the floor, with the wings running perpendicular with the guard, one defensive player can defend all three players in one or two steps. I’m disappointed to see this because Byron ran on the wings in Showtime, and he should be acquainted with spreading the floor. Another area that they have to improve on is boxing out for rebounds, too many instances in preseason the Lakers stood flat-footed and allowed the player to grab an offensive rebound for a score. For example, in the Suns game all the Lakers had to do was secure the rebound for the win.
I have a timeline of December till the Lakers fully gain an identity, the caveat being barring injuries.
rr says
The only sure win is vs the Hornets at home after 5 days off.
—
There are no sure wins in that stretch of games. Charlotte is better than the Lakers are. I don’t think that the Lakers will start 0-10, but I don’t think that any game on the schedule is a “sure win” at this point.
Chearn says
rr-I would be elated if the Lakers won one or more games during that stretch. But I’m not hopeful. Those back-to-backs will be brutal.
Kenny T says
To me it’s amazing that the NBA would schedule so many back to backs so early in the season. While I’m sure the logistics of scheduling an entire season for 30 teams is a daunting task, I think back to back games so early is a disservice to the players and fans.
Oldtimer says
For a change, there is a nice ESPN article from Kobe about Nash injury
http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/11758637/kobe-bryant-los-angeles-lakers-salutes-steve-nash
Mitch will apply for disability waiver instead. Realistically I believe Nash will not agree in accepting less on a contract that has been inked. I’m just asking whether he is willing to help the Lakers in some other way like a de facto asst. coach or a scout.like what Divac did after his injury. Nash is not dead so he can help the Lakers in some other way if he wants to, rather than asserting the rights of a disabled player. Even if he did not the help the Lakers on the basketball court, there is a helluva of benefits ahead of him if he maintains a good relationship with the franchise and its fans. Example to this case, do you remember what Antawn Jamison said after playing for one season with the Lakers that he would not be willing to come back with this team, so he joined the Clippers, Two seasons later, he is in the broadcasting booth at TWC dealing with the Lakers.
Many of us here are long timed fans, we have been spoiled by Championships and also stability of players and coaches with the team. There is a clear transition from one season to another. These last three seasons, the franchise spent a lot of misadventures with coaches and players. Mike Brown got paid for three years but worked only for 1 1/5 season; Dantoni got paid for two seasons plus $ 2M more to compensate for unused portion; Dwight was paid 18M and IMO, used the team as a his rehab in deciding his next team; then Nash on unfortunate situation with his recurring injury. Jim Buss seemed to have bad luck with all his choices in rebuilding to glorious years, good objectives on paper but results were undoubtedly negative. .
Warren Wee Lim says
” 1 – 10/28 vs Rockets
” 2- 10/29 @ Suns (1st B2B)
” 3- 10/31 vs Clips
” 4- 11/1 @ Warriors (2nd B2B)
” 5- 11/4 vs Suns
” 6- 11/9 vs Hornets
” 7- 11/11 @ Grizz
” 8- 11/12 @ Pelicans (3rd B2B)
” 9- 11/14 vs Spurs
” 10- 11/16 vs Warriors
I wouldn’t be surprised if we went 0-10 to start the year. My honest assessment is somewhere between 2-8 and 4-6.
karen says
I go with the 2-8. brutal schedule with so many still injured