Wednesday’s game against the Timberwolves offered what a good portion of fans into a 3-19 season would accept as a perfectly fine result. The Lakers young players offered some moments to remember with crunch time providing a learning/growth opportunity and…the Lakers lost in the process. The latter helps with the lottery odds (something that I vow not to discuss much, if at all, this early in the season) and the former is an important part of this season’s plan.
The sting of losses can be dulled this way. Not every game can follow this format, of course, but the more of them that do, the easier this pill of a season will be to swallow. It will still be sloppy on some nights. Kobe’s farewell tour complicates things. So does the fact that the young guys will not always play all that well. Add in other veterans who are viable rotation players and Byron’s own vision on how this should play out — at least in the short term — and…you get the point.
Tonight, against the Spurs, I do not expect things to be as smooth as they were in Minnesota. While the Warriors are the undefeated juggernaut who’ve earned the national spotlight, the Spurs just keep chugging along, winning games. At 18-5, they have the 2nd best record in the league. They have the league’s best defense and the 4th best offense. There was a thought that integrating LaMarcus Aldrdige and continuing the shift from it being the “Big 3” spurs to Kawhi Leonard’s might cause some hiccups, but NOPE. They seem as good as ever with top flight frontline players, a deep bench, and the best coach in the league.
In other words, this team is likely going to do real damage to the Lakers tonight. Look for their ball movement to triumph over whatever hustle the Lakers offer defensively. Their drive and kick game should just wear down the Lakers, creating either shots at the rim or wide open three pointers on most every possession. Look for Leonard to make a significant impact on both sides of the ball and for Aldridge, Duncan, and West to get good looks 18 feet and in whenever they want them.
Defensively, I fully expect the Spurs to choke off the Lakers’ pass-lite, iso-heavy attack. If the Lakers continue to be a one side of the floor team and struggle with their spacing, they will be toast. To have any sort of success, they will need to make the types of skip and quick hitting passes which force a defense to get into their rotations, and then be as decisive as possible when it comes to making their next pass/shot read. The Lakers have not played this way all season, so expecting it tonight would be silly. Still, that is the blueprint.
From an individual storyline perspective, the Kobe vs. Tim Duncan angle remains strong. Drafted in back to back years in 1996 & ’97, their teams have claimed 10 of the last 17 championships. They are the standard at their respective positions and will go down as two of the best to ever play the sport. Their careers are not ending in the same way, but that’s a different story for a different day. I’m thankful to have seen both, especially the battles — in the playoffs — where they matched up against each other.
So, while the final margin will probably make this hard, try to savor games like this one. It is rare players who have had the careers these two have had find themselves doing battle. Hopefully, we get a better game than I think it will be.
Where you can watch: 6:30pm start time on TWC Sportsnet. Also listen on ESPN Radio 710AM Los Angeles.
david h says
darius: we’re gonna watch the game regardless…..
wrap up here at work; go grocery shopping for dinner; go home; walk the dog; come home; feed the dog; cook a rib eye steak; sit down eat steak; watch the game; regardless.
Go lakers
p/s: hoping Clarkson matches up with tony parker. like to see the similarities in their game.
BigCitySid says
– Nice piece on the NBA’s aging players:
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14334667/kobe-bryant-tim-duncan-compared-their-nba-peer-group
KO says
SA by 23
Kobe shots. 21
Makes 7
JR 20 and 12
Times BS unfolds his arms. Zero
Robert says
Kobe Alert: Thanks to J C, teamn, PurpleBlood, R (like the Christmas idea) , and Chearn (nice post). At tip off tonight Kobe will be playing in his 1300th game and will tie Ray Allen for 15th all time. KB needs 11 more defensive rebounds to get into the top 50 in that category. For those who want Kobe to share the ball, he does need to pick up the pace on dimes as he needs 56 to catch the greatest GM of all time. Kobes has 47,362 minutes played and needs just 257 more to catch Reggie Miller for 8th all time. Number 24 needs 215 more points to hit the 33,000 level. Taking these minutes and the points together yields the fact that Kobe has averaged 1 point every 87 seconds for his entire career. Enjoy the game tonight. By the way – in case you missed it. I hate the Spurs.
It's the MONEY!!! says
Kobe vs Kawhi….should be fun 🙂
Joel says
Uh… Russell is starting now?
Tim says
From Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
Jordan Clarkson (sprained ankle) will not play tonight and Byron Scott expects he may miss tomorrow night’s game as well.
Joel says
Russell’s jumper is just so smooth.
KevTheBold says
Dar, back on the starting lineup !
Good game so far.
Joel says
Randle needs to wake up. Gives up a FT rebound and then backs away from an open shooter in the corner.
KO says
Roy Hibbert is by far the worst starting center in the NBA.
And don’t tell me he plays defense. Just a terrible player.
Nice one Jungle Jim and Mumbles Mitch.
Fern says
Missed half the 1st quarter.That second unit came in ice cold, thats on them. The “Bust” with 9 points and Kobe with 9 too, the moment they came out the team went down the crapper. Aldrige in beast mode…
Chibi says
ESPN cuts to Russell on the bench just in time to catch him spitting out a fingernail.
Fern says
A week ago the Lakers would be down by 15 by now against a team like SA, i guess it was a good move since the Lakers are playing way better that a week ago, credit where credit is due, go ahead and put me up on the stake, credit where is due that’s all…
Joel says
I’m loving Kobe’s approach over the last couple of games. So much more under control.
Fern says
I guess Kobe settle down now, after the last 3 seasons ending injuries he needed to get all those shots out of his system lol, this is the Kobe we need.
Chibi says
Marcelo Hurt Us.
Marlon Brando says
Would love to see Tarik Black in there battling the size of San Antonio. Hibbert and Sacre aren’t adding anything defensively or offensively. I guess I should just copy and paste that complaint for every game.
DAR looking very confident.
Randle looking lost
Joel says
I guess the Spurs are restoring order to the universe now…
Tim says
Nice hustle by Nance Jr.to get the steal on the fast break.
Fern says
Randle having a bad game don’t concern me at all, typical ups and downs of a rookie, he is been on a tear lately had to lay an egg soooner or later, Nance don’t deserve to be starting he is a end of the rotation energy guy he hustles but he don’t bring else
Marlon Brando says
Hey Scott, Nance can’t guard LA.
Joel says
Yeah Nance has no shot on Aldridge. Still can’t see the rationale for starting him over Randle.
Fern says
So Nance has 0-0-0…
Mid-Wilshire says
The Lakers are missing Clarkson. Their rotation is just a bit off.
Of course, SA is missing Tony Parker. But they have more depth.
Fern says
If BS won’t start Randle put Bass to start at the 4, we need an actual NBA player there, he would have at leas a couple of points and rebounds and would not be a doormat for Aldrige…
Gene says
Williams worry more about drawing a foul then making the shot… Hibbert is a complete waste….
KO says
I CAN’ t WATCH HIBBERT.
KWAME BROWN WAS BY FAR BETTER THEN MR. FALL DOWN.
RELEASE THE DORK.
Gene says
Ko….I rather see Sacre instead of Hibbert….really!
KO says
And before game above I said SA by 23.
Guess I was being nice.
LKK says
Nance has got to look for his shot or at least stop turning down open looks.
LKK says
That play where the ref missed the foul on Kobe was beyond ridiculous not because the ref was out of position but because the other two refs who were in position to see it went along with the improper call.
Kbj says
Randle needs a jump shot. Spurs exposing Randle’s weakness.
Kevin T says
And they gave Kobe a miss on that play, there was no shot.
LKK says
@ Robert…
Thanks for the Kobe alert. Hate is a strong word. I just dislike the Spurs intensely. Jk!
What I do hate is all these ring chasers taking less money to play for them. Can someone say under the table?
Guest says
If the game ended right now with Russell as our leading scorer, I’d call that a win for the future.
LKK says
Damn Warriors won again! Lakers 33 in a row is in real jeapordy.
LKK says
Love how Kobe is setting Russ up. Even in defeat there can be some positives.
Marlon Brando says
You know your team is bad when SVG starts getting angry about chip refills instead of calling the game
KO says
And the prize tonight goes to?
KO for calling SA by 23 before the game.
Thank you.
KevTheBold says
Agree LKK, Kobe seems to have reinvented himself.
I truly hope so, as he has so much to teach this group.
I missed Clarkson in the game, it’s not the same without him.
Go D’Angelo !
LordMo says
Randle needs more than a jump shot…a solid go to post move and a counter-move. People keep filling this kids head with visions of Lamar Odom . He needs to hit the weights and watch film of Aguirre and Zebo. He would do way better in the long run to develop his game in that manner. Remember Randle is young people this kid will be like 270 in a few bringing the ball up ain’t in his future…lol. We need him to become a consistent 15/10 type player but efficiently like Leonard’s line but bang and muscle his style with some face up mixed in. His rebounding is very encouraging thus far that was a concern coming out of college. The kid is going to be solid maybe some all-star level play. If we can get a 3 to 5 year span where he is at that level then watch out…this kid could be Larry Johnson like minus the 3.
LordMo says
Nance needs work. Offensively he is too raw…basically a hustle player u don’t need to run any sets for. But the problem is he will have to shoot to make the D respect him. This kid will be a player in this league because defense wise he will be outstanding high motor guy and athletic but has to get a shot …. 1000 a day bro for real!
Fulofunk says
Wow! 3 1/2 Q’s of good ball…..okay..3 Q’s….okay maybe 2 1/2….but still, it didn’t feel like the predicted blow until midway thru the 4th. Our guys looked really good against a really good team for much of the game….granted, no Tony P or much of Manu, and LaMarcus is just too much, but a great learning experience for LNJ for sure. I really like LNJ’s hustle even though he looked like a down-on-the-bench rookie for much of the night.
Kobe played with class tonight with smiles all around. Don’t get me wrong, I know we lost and there ain’t no smiles in that, but what I mean is that KB seems to be taking MJ’s advice to heart….he seems to be enjoying EVERY moment he can. After 19 years of watching him give us his all, I can certainly live with the losses to see him play with grace and style like these last two games. I am all for winning, but THIS year is worth it to me to see KB play the rest of the year with style, grace, joy, and fun while coaching the kids….b/c it kind of looks like that’s the best coaching they’re gonna get…..I’m just saying…..
And…at the expense of repeating myself…..
ANYBODY have a TARIK BLACK sighting?
Fulofunk says
No Tarik Black on the bench,
No Tarik Black in street clothes,
No Tarik Black on injury list,
No no NO no Nobody knows
No Tarik Black on D league roster,
No Tarik Black reference do announcers foster
Even LA Times will not reply
No Who, No Where, No When, No Why
An X-Files moment
I must be havin’
Oh Dr Suess help me
‘Cause NOBODY’s blabbin’
…. Sorry FB&G group……..
A Horse With No Name says
Randle needs to hit the weights
Are you kidding? His strength and athleticism are already elite. It’s all about skill development (shooting, footwork, post moves). He will get there.
bluehill says
Kobe played with class tonight with smiles all around. Don’t get me wrong, I know we lost and there ain’t no smiles in that, but what I mean is that KB seems to be taking MJ’s advice to heart….he seems to be enjoying EVERY moment he can. After 19 years of watching him give us his all, I can certainly live with the losses to see him play with grace and style like these last two games. I am all for winning, but THIS year is worth it to me to see KB play the rest of the year with style, grace, joy, and fun while coaching the kids….b/c it kind of looks like that’s the best coaching they’re gonna get…..I’m just saying…..
———————————————————————————————–
Completely agree, Fulofunk. Kobe really seems to have a different attitude these least couple of games.
Clay Bertrand says
Two words mysteriously absent from our beloved forum the last couple of weeks:
1.) “MUDIAY”
2.) “BUST”
DAR is looking better and better the more his confidence grows. I only hope that the KOBE mentorship is not KOBE telling him, “Shoot every time you touch the ball. Look what it’s done for me!!!” I would rather have had Steve Nash mentoring our Point Guard than Kobe. Maybe then DAR would get his 24 points on say 16 FGAs with more free throws as opposed to 23 FGAs!!!!
Just to Nit Pick a little bit more here: DAR, as the PG who is admittedly trying to get his teammates to “TRUST” how he runs the team coulda/shoulda made more efforts to get Julius Randle going offensively last night especially knowing Randle was in his home State and had a lot of his people at the game. He was even wearing golden shoes….So Help me God GOLDEN SHOES!!!!!!!!!
Randle looked frustrated with DAR’s number of shots and even seemed to refuse to pass the ball to him a couple of times because he knew DAR would likely just shoot it himself. Obviously this isn’t a BIG deal and it may be a learning experience if Randle and DAR communicate well off the court. A true point guard would recognize these little wrinkles. These types of under the radar things endear a floor general to the rest of the team over time. It takes a special breed to be a shepherd and an assassin all at once.
All that said, DAR is really showing his talent and its exciting to see him trying to find his place at this level.
LordMo says
Randles strength is impressive no doubt but this kid will be fighting the battle of the bulge his whole career it will be essential to keep his strength and tone thru proper diet and weight training more so for him…like the Barkley had did. Also, he is an potential elite player but his athleticism is not at the elite level if it had been with his size and skill he would have been the number 1 pick.
He is a good athlete for his size and can become a very good pro athlete but he is not a natural run/jump explosive guy. Not an above the rim player but an at the rim type of guy so yes skill and footwork on the low/high blocks are going to be a must why u think I keep harping on Aguirre and Zebo. But he will need to bulk up a bit more u forget the wear and tear of a whole NBA season he will lose weight and mass…which will be much need for an undersized 6′ 8″ PF who is not an explosive jumper. But all that said I’m liking what I’m seeing from the kid and what I like most so that he wants it…can’t teach that!
KevTheBold says
It’s not always easy, to keep in mind that theses kids are at the beginning of a long journey, which will hopefully take them, and us very far.
@ Clay, regarding the game: It seemed to me that the Lakers were riding the hot hand, which will change from night to night.
Randle was cold, and since he has proven to Dar that he will shoot, rather than pass, a “true point guard” would recognize, that it was best to take what the opposing offence left open.
I don’t believe that Kobe is teaching Dar to shoot every ball, and the 6 assists on such a team would support that. Yet as the team shooting accuracy grows, I can see him getting double digit assists every night.
Yes his final 5 shots were off which threw off his stats in that area, but looking at the broad picture, what I saw is a potential super star in the making, someone who can take over a game, and win it for our side.
Any team is extremely fortunate to have only one such talent.
If we have one, two, or three, or none, remains to be seen.
Yet if any one of them shows sparks of that talent, I’m in full support of him, or them.