There are not many secrets left between these two teams. The Lakers (and the Suns) have played each other a lot the last couple years and know what they have to do to win. For the Lakers that means not abandoning the game plan — pound it inside, post up Odom (and Walton and Kobe […]
Game Preview
Lakers/Suns Game 1 Chat
If you want some additional last minute series preview, let me point you to three quality things. First is Nate Jone’s thoughts at the NBA Fanhouse. Second is The Basketball Jones podcast (which features me, so I think it’s brilliant). Third is the alway erudite and insightful Bethlehem Shoals writing the Deadspin preview. And one […]
Lakers/Suns Preview: When The Suns Have The Ball
We’re starting with the Laker defense because that is the key to their chances in this series — they will score enough, they have all season, but can they slow the high-powered Suns and not let them run off and hide. The problem with slowing the Suns is that there are no good options, just […]
Preview & Chat: The Sacramento Kings
Phoenix or Dallas. Win tonight and it’s the Suns this weekend, lose (and Golden State wins in Portland) and it’s Dallas. I don’t think the Lakers can look at it that way — after the ugliness of the last month they need to win because they need to build momentum and confidence. The Lakers do […]
Phil’s Freefall
The Lakers have been freefall for a few weeks and it has exposed a few things. It exposed just how much damage the injuries have done to this team. It’s exposed players to roles that don’t suit them. And it has exposed some weaknesses in Phil Jackson’s game. Kevin Pelton asked me to do a […]
Preview & Chat: The Phoenix Suns
Sorry to start this thing halfway through the second quarter, it’s been one hectic day on my end. Longer post tomorrow talking about Phil some. Plus other goodies over the weekend. For now, I’m off to watch the second half of this game at a pub with Gatinho (if you’re in the South Bay email […]
Preview & Chat: The Los Angeles Clippers
Playoff time. While this is not technically a playoff game, it should be in intensity. For the Clippers this is basically a must win. For the Lakers, win and you guarantee a playoff spot and start to build a little momentum for the post season. VladRad is back. Snowboarding legend Vladimir Radmanovic is expected to […]
Preview & Chat: The Denver Nuggets
Things I once thought impossible. The Lakers really miss Kwame. I say that not to pile on Bynum, but the young man has hit a stagnation point in his development. I think he’ll over come it, but he hurts us now. His mistakes are often those of inexperience, those of not recognizing the play or […]
Preview & Chat: The Phoenix Suns
I’m excited to watch some television today. The Sopranos and Entourage are back tonight — I may or may not feel good after watching the Lakers today, but I know I will have fun watching those two shows. And, that means dinner tonight at our house before the Sorpano’s — baked ziti. How to beat […]
Preview & Chat: The Seattle Supersonics
Smush is mad at Phil — do you think Phil even notices? Nate Jones has a good post up about Smush not really channeling his energy well, expressing the frustration a lot of us have with him. That frustration extends to Phil, the target of Smush’s scorn. Driving in to work I heard an interview […]