Since rattling off three straight wins in early December against the Kings, Spurs, and Timberwolves, the Lakers have lost six of seven — their lone win coming against the Warriors with Kobe out of the lineup. They enter tonight’s game losers of three in a row, the latest being Sunday’s loss to the Suns — a close game throughout that had the superior Suns pull away in the 2nd half. All of this has the Lakers with only nine wins through their first 31 games, the fifth worst record in the association.
That number should mean something to Lakers’ fans due to the draft pick ramifications of what a poor record could mean come June. It’s been mentioned ad nauseum, but commenter RR had a nice summary of the Lakers’ picks owed and owed out to the Suns (and Magic) in the comments:
1. The 2015 pick they got from Houston with Lin is lottery-protected. But if it is 15 or later, a near-lock, they will get it.
2. Phoenix pick:
The PHX pick, the last one from the Nash trade, works as follows:
1-5 protected in 2015, as everyone knows.
1-3 protected in 2016.
1-3 protected in 2017.
Unprotected in 2018.3. Orlando picks:
The 2015 2nd-round pick owed to Orlando is protected 31-40. If the Lakers keep it, they don’t owe another one.If the Lakers have given a pick to PHX by 2017, then the whole thing starts over again, this time with Orlando. The first rounders in 2017 and 2018 are again Top-5 protected–but this time with Orlando. That pick is unprotected in 2019. If the Lakers have not given a pick to PHX by 2017, then the Lakers’ 2017 and 2018 2nd-rounders both go to Orlando, and recall that also in this case, the Lakers’ 2018 first-rounder is unprotected and goes to Phoenix.
Also important to note is that the Lakers are not guaranteed a top five pick simply by having one of the league’s worst five records. Due to the lottery, teams can jump up in the draft and if/when that happens the teams they leapfrog move down. The Lakers, then, have much better odds of retaining their pick with the third or fourth worst record in the league than if they sit in the fifth spot. If they fall outside the worst five records, they will need to be one of those teams with lottery luck and leapfrog others to get into the top five. If you’re wondering why some fans “root” for losses, this is the math that drives those interests.
Getting back on track to tonight’s game, the Lakers are in Denver facing a Nuggets team who is better than them, but not by so much that the game isn’t winnable. Yes, the Nuggets are only five games under .500 and have a nice roster of talented players who, even without Danilo Gallinari, Randy Foye, and JaVale McGee, are deeper than the Lakers. But the last time these two teams played the game went to overtime and that was with the Nuggets having their full complement of players available.
In other words, this game is quite winnable even though it is on the road and the Lakers are still likely adjusting to how they will need to play with Kobe on a reduced workload and playing a different style than he was before he took those three games off — at least if Sunday’s game was any indication. Yes, the Lakers will need to slow Ty Lawson, Aron Aflalo, and Wilson Chandler (who always seems to kill the Lakers). They will need to keep Timofey Mozgov from getting deep position in the paint, keep JJ Hickson off the boards, and try to keep Nate Robinson from getting hot. But these are things they are capable of doing should they remain focused and do work early on that side of the ball.
The question, of course, is if, based on the stuff I mentioned at the top of this post, whether or not fans actually want them to.
Where you can watch: 6:00 start time on TWC Sportsnet. Also listen at ESPN Radio 710AM.
Robert says
Kobe Alert: At tip off – KB will be playing in his 1274th game and will tie T Porter for 21st on that list. He needs 11 FGA’s to have 25K for his career (only 2 others with that many). He is closing in on others in dimes, rebounds, FG’s, 3 pointers, and minutes. As BCS (did you ever move KB into your top 7 Lakers?) points out, rebounding stats are a bit skewed, because offensive and defensive rebounds were not kept until the 70’s. Bottom line is that Wilt had a million rebounds and nobody will ever get that many. As for Kobes, I see that some of you are starting to hedge that maybe Kobe has years 21 + 22 in him and that the FO may extend him : ) So to that end – he is just 4553 points behind Karl. I am starting a spreadsheet projecting when this event will occur so I can plan on being there : ) People thought I was crazy 3 years ago when I was projecting years 19 + 20. They were correct – about the crazy part : )
J C says
I am hopeful and I’d be very impressed if #24 can continue to play with an adjusted approach, (passing more, shooting less, etc)
If he can sustain this – once his teammates get accustomed to this new climate – they will gradually improve.
I do think Kobe’s brilliant (listening, rr?) and will figure this out soon.
Ko,
All right, my bottle is down – for the moment.
aren’t we 9 -22?
So that leaves Fifty-ONE remaining games…(not 50).
So my prediction of 32 wins means they need to win 23 and can lose 28.
No problem!!
Gotta think positive 🙂
Calvin Chang says
What would be a cool Kobe alert is if after 2016, Jim Buss just makes Kobe the GM. From player, straight to GM. Has that been done before?
J C says
Robert
btw I had been betting my friends YEARS ago that Kobe would pass Kareem, and projected he’d play til age 39-40…
That was before his achilles tear, unfortunately.
Now I think catching Malone is gonna be tough.
Robert says
Calvin: I will do that KobeAlert after 2018 : ) Further – I do not think this will work. You see – Kobe eats first. Being back up GM to Jim’s primary GM would not work for him. With regard to your comments about Jim not resigning: You could be correct, but I disagree with your points implying that this is logical given the power and money Jim has at stake. Of the 30 teams in the NBA, primary owners have nothing to do with the GM function in 25 cases. The 5 who do are the Lakers, Heat, Mavs, Bobcats, and Warriors. In all 4 other cases other than the Lakers, the owner who participates, takes a clear backseat to the real GM. For example: Any debate that Pat Riley runs the show in Miami? How about Jerry West and Bob Myers in GS? Even Cuban takes a back seat to Donnie Nelson. Jim stands alone in terms of complete meddling directly in basketball operations.
BigCitySid says
-@ Robert, lol, yes actually Kobe is my 8th favorite Laker all-time. Favorite being the key word…quite subjective I know.
-Pertaining to tonight’s game, it’s quite winnable.
-Pertaining to the future of the Lakers and their available draft picks…time to focus on free agents.
-Let’s go Lakers.
tankyou says
Hope Jordan Hill shows something this game, at least some energy around the hoop with some rebounds and hustle plays. I used to think of him as a big time hustle player, watching the games now adays I almost never think that of him. Maybe he sees the writing on the wall and has checked out a bit mentally, losing and thinking about being traded soon potentially.
BCS, I just hope their free agent chase doesn’t turn back into some crazy attempt to get an old declining Rondo, or a good but getting old Dragic on max contracts. IF that happens we fans better get used to losing for awhile. Too many of these free agents of note next year would be signed through their physically declining years. I hope they at least make some real effort to retain Ed Davis, we need to have some continuity and mid level talents around. I’m growing more and more frustrated with Swaggy he is looking like a one trick pony (3 pointers) and that’s about it. Which is fine for spreading the floor and scoring in bunches when he is on, but if he’s cold he serves almost no purpose out there. Wish we had another SF player, or they played Kobe at SF instead and gave Ellington more minutes.
PurpleBlood says
Robert,
just caught the Temecula story & diss rap…smh, albeit in laughter; what´s the world coming to man? (KB´s comment was priceless!) So, by employing some simple logic, does that mean that a few of us here are part of the Mamba Army? 😉
___
As for the game tonight, i´m hoping for a strong team effort, that´s about all one (who abhors rooting for losses) can ask for at this point.
Tim says
Price with a nice defensive play gets rewarded with the basket, a layup, at the other end.
Rob Westbrook says
AMAZING start by Kobe. Loving the new efficiency. Wish he would move off the ball more on O and play better D, still. Sagging off of Afflalo those last two threes, I think we dodged some bullets there. Afflalo’s a better than avg 3 point shooter (career 39%).
Jordan Hill’s lack of energy and settling for the long two during the last dozen or two games is really starting to bug me. He has 2 of the starters’ 3 misses.
Ko says
We now know why his name is boozer.
Anonymous says
If he can sustain this – once his teammates get accustomed to this new climate – they will gradually improve.
I do think Kobe’s brilliant (listening, rr?) and will figure this out soon
—
In this game, they literally shot 90% from the floor in the 1st Q with the starters in there, he made several good passes, and every shot that he took went down. In the last game, they shot 52% from the floor and 60% from the arc. So, I am not exactly sure how you think they can gradually improve those numbers. But they lost the last game anyway. They are up 13 in this game, shooting 65% from the floor and 67% from the arc, because Denver has no bench with Foye, McGee and Gallinari all out, but even with the scorching 1st quarter, they were only up 4 because of the D.
Kobe is one guy on the team and the Lakers’ players are all pretty much known commodities. At some point, you, Sid, and co will figure that out.
Rob Westbrook says
I may get as many rebounds this game as our starting PF Jordan Hill…
Anonymous says
If he can sustain this – once his teammates get accustomed to this new climate – they will gradually improve.
I do think Kobe’s brilliant (listening, rr?) and will figure this out soon
—
In this game, they literally shot 90% from the floor in the 1st Q with the starters in there, he made several good passes, and every shot that he took went down. In the last game, they shot 52% from the floor and 60% from the arc. So, I am not exactly sure how you think they can gradually improve those numbers. But they lost the last game anyway because of the D. They are up 16 in this game, shooting 61% from the floor and 69% from the arc, because Denver is a bad team with no bench having a wretched shooting night, with Foye, McGee and Gallinari all out. But even with the scorching 1st quarter, the Lakers were only up 4 because of the D.
So, it is actually much more likely that they will regress, not improve, partly because these numbers are unsustainable and partly because if Kobe keeps playing like this, teams will stop shading extra defenders to him and just deal with him like he is another guy, which they should probably be doing anyway.
So, one more time: Kobe is just one guy on the team and the Lakers’ players are all pretty much known commodities. I am not sure why these concepts are so hard for you and some other people here to understand.
—
Those things noted, the players look like they are having fun tonight, and I am happy for them. And Kobe remains a very effective offensive player when he plays within the limits of his age.
JH says
I have no problems with Boozer as long as he plays his role and plays within his strengths. Make those shots, get the rebounds, be a veteran leader and teach what he can to the young guys. His scoring has been consistent.
rubenowski says
Kobe triple double? Lets go!
Ko says
Jordan Hill is going through motions it seems like.
Ko says
Nice game by Lin?
Boy is he schizophrenic.
Ko says
Scott never saw a TO he liked?
Anonymous says
Get Lin out if there zero
Ko says
Does this coach know anything about stopping momentum?
Really bad.
Tim says
Turnovers really hurting the Lakers.
Tra says
Definitely enjoying Kobe’s floor game tonight. Triple Double is inevitable.
Haven’t been watching much of the Nuggets this season. Didn’t know that they were this bad (although, as I’m typing this, they’re making a run). What happened to ‘Manimal’ Faried? From what I’ve witnessed tonight – and from the little bit that I’ve seen of him this year – he doesn’t seem like the same player.
Tim says
Kobe with the triple double on the offensive rebound.
Rob Westbrook says
Almost flawless Kobe game except FTs and TOs. So fun to watch. Team is going crazy from three; we can’t count on that with regularity, but it’s more likely when there’s more ball movement. Defense is still abysmal. But if we come away with the W, I don’t care. I don’t care that the opponents were weak and undermanned. I don’t care if we again lost the 3rd. Lakers win and Kobe got a triple double. Perfect amount of minutes for him. Would even be ok with a few more FGA as long as it’s within the system. He’s really limited the long fade away twos the last couple games, thankfully.
That late offensive foul on the made 3 by Denver was total crap by the way. We still probably would’ve won even wearing Lakers jerseys tonight, but that was too bad. I don’t blame Robinson for getting ejected.
Chearn says
Faried is exhausted from his Olympic stint he hasn’t been able to get a rhythm this season due to injuries.
The Nuggets found a rotation when Gallinari came back, but he’s out again with another injury. In a recent game, that I viewed he was playing like he had his first few seasons in the league.
Too bad for Shaw.
Tra says
Appreciated Chearn.
Being that, IMO, activity (energy/hustle) is the main attribute of his game, I can see how he’s fallen off if, as you’ve stated, he’s suffering from exhaustion. I’m a fan of his game, so hopefully he gets his legs under him and returns to the ‘Manimal’ that I remember.
Ko says
This Kobe is a recipe for wins. Considering they got zip from Lin and Nick this was impressive.
Notice Hill not even playing late in games. Something not right with him this month.
Robert says
23-11-11-2 Incredible. Kobe with a monster game.
Kevin T says
This is the Kobe I hoped for a few weeks ago, after a brief rest come back and try to average 20/7/7 instead of 25/5/5, so far so good. Also cut the minutes to about 32.
ninjagorn says
Robert December 30, 2014 at 3:09 pm
Kobe Alert: At tip off – KB will be playing in his 1274th game and will tie T Porter for 21st on that list. He needs 11 FGA’s to have 25K for his career (only 2 others with that many). He is closing in on others in dimes, rebounds, FG’s, 3 pointers, and minutes. As BCS (did you ever move KB into your top 7 Lakers?) points out, rebounding stats are a bit skewed, because offensive and defensive rebounds were not kept until the 70’s. Bottom line is that Wilt had a million rebounds and nobody will ever get that many. As for Kobes, I see that some of you are starting to hedge that maybe Kobe has years 21 + 22 in him and that the FO may extend him : ) So to that end – he is just 4553 points behind Karl. I am starting a spreadsheet projecting when this event will occur so I can plan on being there : ) People thought I was crazy 3 years ago when I was projecting years 19 + 20. They were correct – about the crazy part : )
Great what you are doing!!!!!! I will come to US in 2016 for the 6 ring with KD-or for passing Malone and KAJ!
Calvin Chang says
Point Kobe is the formula to win games. Pass-first Kobe that would average 18-8-8 is a much more effective Kobe. We saw it in the wins against Raptors and Pistons. Hopefully, Kobe can maintain his pass-first, Point Kobe approach.
Calvin Chang says
@Robert and Anonymous: That’s the thing about Jim though. He’s a meddler. It’s possible that if the Lakers don’t sniff the playoffs by 2017, Jim may cede complete control to the GM, but I doubt it. His guarantee that Lakers will be a contender in 3 years is not in writing. And the term “contender” is very subjective. Jeanie is not a basketball person – meaning she doesn’t have a good understanding of talent and chemistry. She’s more of a business / PR and HR person. My point is they inherited the keys to one of the most popular and profitable brands on earth, and they’re not just going to let go of such power just to please us fans. Maybe I’m just too cynical 🙂
Jo Houston says
No matter how Kobe plays, reality is he is playing with scrubs.
Anonymous says
“I was laying myself on the line by saying, if this doesn’t work in three to four years, if we’re not back on the top — and the definition of top means contending for the Western Conference, contending for a championship — then I will step down because that means I have failed,” he told The Times about the meeting. “I don’t know if you can fire yourself if you own the team … but what I would say is I’d walk away and you guys figure out who’s going to run basketball operations because I obviously couldn’t do the job.”
BigCitySid says
-Very nice win. Fantastic game by Kobe. Maybe I’m in the minority, but I prefer this type of stat line for Kobe as opposed to 44-4-2 on 35 fga’s…especially at this stage of his career.
-@ Jo Houston, “No matter how Kobe plays, reality is he is playing with scrubs.” Is that another way of saying he’s playing w/ guys who fit into the contract length & salary cap required by the front office?
-Love the way the 7th & 8th spots in the Western Conf is playing out. Only three games separate the four teams in positions 7 to 10. with approx 40% of the season in the books, the Spurs & Thunder are in dog fights w/ the Suns & Pelicans just to make the post season.
ninjagorn says
Lost in all this losing-tanking and Kobes shooting talk is that he is having a historic season for a 36 year old backcourt player in his 19 year…I hope when it is over that someone from the advanced ESPN analityics department takes some time and puts it into perspective. Happy new year.
Oldtimer says
Yeah, Lakers need rebuild according to FO and Kobe haters, this is the right time to trade Kobe, Hill, Young whatever the Lakers have best options for draft picks huh! and will be Championship candidate in three years. That’s the plan and it is guaranteed by the wise crack jacks.
By the way, before kids spend their Christmas money to watch at Staples, print it on the ticket that Lakers will tank and they will be watching the game at their own choice. See if everyone agrees with these fantastic ideas. It’s all about Okafor!!!
david h says
Hey Darius: Happy New Year to you and thanks again for maintaining this forum with professionalism and trusted respect throughout this past year. considering the tumultuous laker season thus far; to say the least, the lakers closed out 2014 with a win versus the Denver Nuggets in a style of play that projects promise; for now that is and hopefully will spill forward into the new year.
Here’s wishing you and yours an eventful upcoming year. Keep it relevant as always.
Thanks and Go Lakers
J C says
Brilliant game by Kobe.
‘This Kobe is a recipe for wins’: that statement is right on.
His first-quarter pass to Davis under the rim from half court was unreal.
Next on the agenda, gotta cut down on the turnovers.
Ronnie Price’s block/steal: ‘Priceless.’
Craig W. says
Anyone can keep things interesting when a team is winning. Darius, you are being thanked for keeping a top blog when the winning team is losing. Thanks for being my first Laker stop.
Last night showed what a team can do when all the players are working in the same system. These are the same players many bloggers want to move, in their entirety, to the D-League. There is talent here, it just isn’t star talent beyond Kobe. I still think we can be a good team, just not a contending team. I am watching this team to see more games like last night. Win or lose I think there can be an increase in this play over the remainder of the season.
I also think we can retain some of our 1-year contracts, and that they can help the foundation building we are trying to do.
Good luck with the censors.
tankyou says
Good to see Kobe be productive and enjoy himself out there. Kobe averages almost 8 assists in our victories this year, so him passing and taking less bad shots definitely helps the team out. Hopefully he can keep the TO’s around 4-or-5 which should be reasonable.
Ronnie Price was lighting it up last night wow! Lin better hope Price doesn’t magically find his shooting stroke at age 31 or Lin will be relegated to 15mins a game. Hopefully Lin/Hill both move on to greener pastures both for them and the future of our team–assuming we can get some draft picks and maybe a couple low price younger guys that may improve. I just hope in 2015 they avoid the 30 and older club of expensive players and don’t bother with Deron Williams, Dragic, or Rondo. Kobe’s interviews are all over the place, he plays well and his body hold in there and he’s all gung ho for playing next year and beyond. Other interviews he looks exhausted and clearly is questioning whether his body can hold together.
IF sitting Kobe a few games once a month and reducing his minutes can lead to more shows like last night, then please rest him regularly. I’m just happy we have double digit wins, the 9 was just looking horrible to me.
Chearn says
Okafor is a beast! If his work ethic matches his potential, he’ll win a couple of championships. That’s a big ‘if’ though because millions makes players complacent.
Anonymous says
This Kobe is a recipe for wins.
—
Playing Denver when they are missing three guys is a recipe for wins. Don’t get me wrong; KB played a superb floor game tonight, and I am happy for the team. But the Lakers are still who they are.
This game illustrates very well why the stealth tanking plan, if that is what the FO is doing, is very flawed.
T Rogers says
Wonderful game by Kobe. I think it shows more than anything that Kobe needs significant rest. Not only does he need no more than 30 minutes a night. He may still need to sit out games on top of that.
Kobe is not “back.” He’s rested. The key is to keep him as rested as possible.
Berdj Rassam says
It was an impressive win for the Lakers over Denver.
PurpleBlood says
My favorite Mamba at this stage of his career is the one who showed up in Denver (- the excessive TOs) Keep it up KB!!
___
Wishing everyone here a prosperous & joyful `015
Aaron says
Who would have thought LeBron gets off his vitamins and all of the sudden isnt the same player and starts physically breaking down?
Anonymous says
Aaron: Who would have thought LeBron gets off his vitamins and all of the sudden isnt the same player and starts physically breaking down?
__
Didn’t the NBA enhance its screenings for PEDs this past off season? Coincidently, this is the off season that Lebron made a big deal out of dropping weight/bulk to play more on the perimeter. I think its curious that no one in the main stream media has attempted to connect the dots. I’m not saying that Lebron was using PEDs, but its just interesting …
Robert says
Happy New Year ! LBJ definitely seems to be a different guy this year at times. Without regard to the cause, many of those who are less than enthusiastic about Kobe, were already projecting LBJ to blow by Kobe in all categories. Is that going to be the case? Same for Durant. He does not even have a ring yet and this year looks unlikely. So getting 5 rings and accumulating the individual accolades is not as easy as it may seem. That is why if you do, you are on the GOAT short list. And for the record – I still have KB third all time – behind MJ and KAJ. Anyone who would like to “objectively” compare career accomplishments with anyone else, I would be more than happy to compile that for you. I would think there are those who might argue for Magic, Duncan, or Shaq. I would certainly respect a argument for those 3 (sorry Mikan and Bill Russell played a different sport). However if you start going to Larry Bird, Oscar, and Karl, then I would have to question the objectivity (Kobe has more rings than those three combined by the way).
Aaron says
Anonymous,
I don’t like finger wagging… BUTTTTTT…. Shame on you media. I’ve said since game one it’s a joke nobody in the media has pointed out the obvious aside from Max Kellerman. And Max does it in a jokin manner each time saying LBJ “didn’t get off PEDs he got on PDDs (performance declining drugs).
I think NBA players should be allowed to use HGH anyways. I would rather see a league with everyone on PEDs than a league with everyone off them.
tankyou says
@Aaron, may ver well be, likely no one really will know. But I don’t think Lebron is “not the same player” in terms of still not being completely dominant. They have nearly a whole new team/new coach etc to deal with. Plus he is 30 now, so age is a big issue. HGH starts to severely deplete around age 30. NBA athelete don’t get enough rest to stop a nearly constant catabolic state which becomes a major issue post 30 when the body just does not regenerate the same. Lebron has been a passing/assist machine the few games I saw him. He likely is in ever so slight decline, but its marginal at best thus far. Any team in the league would alter their roster to attain Lebron james at this point, except the tank brigade (76ers etc).
From a recovery standpoint I would think HGH would be the drug of choice for older athletes in general given the importance of recovery. I hope they eventually cut the pre-season to say 4 games tops and extend the season by a couple weeks to try and reduce the number of back-to-back games. Its no fun for fans to see their older stars sitting out a lot, or far too many injuries due to microtears in the ligaments being unable to heal fully before again going through the explosive force that is NBA basketball.
KenOak says
“Who would have thought LeBron gets off his vitamins and all of the sudden isnt the same player and starts physically breaking down?”
I wondered about D-Wade a couple of years ago too. This is pretty curious to me… I agree with Anonymous above that it’s strange that the media is completely silent on it. Like, no one has brought this up that I’ve seen. (mainstream media)
KenOak says
@tankyou
If you can’t see that Lebron hasn’t been the same player this year, then I don’t know what to tell you. He’s not nearly as explosive as he was just a year ago. His passing hasn’t been affected because you don’t have to be a supreme athlete to be a great passer. (Nash, Stockton, Kidd…)