While the Lakers have typically been seen as a team that relies on its offense (that Triangle thing they run has led to quite a few championships over the years), we’ve long said that the Lakers will go as far as their defense takes them. With a top 10 defense this year (based off defensive […]
Around The World (Wide Web): Anniversary Of Kobe’s 81
Five years ago today, the Lakers were in a much different place than they are now. Rather than competing for championships, they were competing just to make the playoffs. They were only one dreadful season removed from trading Shaq, a year that saw them miss the playoffs for the first time in Kobe’s career (a […]
Lakers/Nuggets: Kobe’s Fingerprints All Over This Win
When previewing this game, I mentioned that a major key to this match up would be for the Lakers to play a controlled game where they kept an even keel and didn’t let the emotion of the game get away from them. Well, they were able to do just that as they defeated the Nuggets […]
Preview and Chat: The Denver Nuggets
Records: Lakers 31-13 (2nd in West), Nuggets 24-17 (7th in West) Offensive ratings: Lakers 112.1 (1st in NBA), Nuggets 111.7 (2nd in NBA) Defensive ratings: Lakers 104.5 (9th in NBA), Nuggets 108.5 (19th in NBA) Projected Starting Lineups: Lakers:Derek Fisher, Kobe Bryant, Ron Artest, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum Nuggets: Chauncey Billups, Arron Afflalo, Carmelo Anthony, […]
Thinking About Streaks, Statement Games, & The Journey
This may seem random, but I love visiting Basketball-Reference. I go there multiple times a day just to search through their vast database of stats, games, teams, and players looking for nuggets of information that better help me understand the game. (I also use their stats for our game previews for info on offensive and […]
Lakers/Mavericks: When You Don’t Play Good Defense, This Is What Happens
There will be games when scoring will be enough. Tonight, against the Mavs, was not one of those games. What the Lakers needed was defensive effort and the stops that follow but instead they tried to rely on their offense to carry the way and they fell way short by the score 109-100. Early on, […]
Preview and Chat: The Dallas Mavericks
Records: Lakers 31-12 (2nd in West), Mavericks 26-14 (5th in West) Offensive ratings: Lakers 112.0 (1st in NBA), Mavericks 107.1 (15th in NBA) Defensive ratings: Lakers 104.0 (9th in NBA), Mavericks 104.7 (10th in NBA) Projected Starting Lineups: Lakers:Derek Fisher, Kobe Bryant, Ron Artest, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum Mavericks: Jason Kidd, Deshawn Stevenson, Shawn Marion, […]
On The Attack: Kobe Bryant
Without watching the games, you’d probably be surprised to hear that January has been one of Kobe Bryant’s best months. I mean, if you just examine his game log, you’ll see that his scoring numbers, rebounds, and assists are all hovering around his season averages while his long range shooting isn’t any different than it’s been all year […]
Preview and Chat: The Los Angeles Clippers
Records: Lakers 30-11 (2nd in West), Clippers 13-25 (13th in West) Offensive ratings: Lakers 112.2 (1st in NBA), Clippers 105.4 (20th in NBA) Defensive ratings: Lakers 103.9 (9th in NBA), Clippers 108.5 (20th in NBA) Projected Starting Lineups: Lakers: Derek Fisher, Kobe Bryant, Ron Artest, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum Clippers: Baron Davis, Eric Gordon, Ryan […]
Lakers/Nets: Winning Ugly Still Counts
Some games, regardless of the outcome aren’t that much fun to watch. Whether the Lakers win or lose matters, of course, but there are games where how they get there doesn’t really excite or get the blood flowing. Friday’s game against the Nets just happened to be one such game for me. A combination of […]