Here’s one reason Laker fans can be optimistic heading into tonight: The fivesome that put on the 24-7 spurt that pushed the Lakers past the T-Wolves a couple weeks ago was Atkins, Butler, Jones, Cook and Mihm. No Kobe needed. (Look at the 82games breakout of a the Lakers best five-man squads and that group […]
News
The Tao of Rudy T.
Some Laker fans who thought he would be the next Pat Riley are now calling him the next Randy Pfund. As the season has worn on and the Lakers have remained inconsistent at both ends of the floor, more and more fans are turning their frustration toward the guy pacing the sidelines — Rudy T. […]
For The Love Of Three
My mind is mush after spending much of the night up with a sick daughter. (Well, to be accurate, my mind is more mushy than normal.) So, today I bring some random thoughts held together by nothing but your imagination. • Kobe is officially going to be out for at least two more weeks, or […]
And You Thought the NBA Could Be Boring:
Be glad you didn’t have to watch this. (Thanks to Gorilla Mask for the link.)
On Tap: The Utah Jazz
If you were going to play one team when you’re leading scorer will be watching the game with his ankle elevated and iced, the worst defensive team in the league would be your top choice. Welcome to Los Angeles, Utah Jazz. Glad to see you. The Jazz give it up so easily you’d think they […]
Perimeter Defense
I kept asking it, poster gatinho asked it, I think everyone was asking it — where was Sasha in the second half of the Golden State game? Rudy T. gave him the start, and then never played our favorite rookie in the second half, opting instead for Tierre Brown. I think the answer is defense. […]
On Tap: The Golden State Warriors
Bill Simmons calls it the Ewing Theory, and we’ll see if it applies to the Lakers starting tonight. The idea is simple — when a team’s superstar goes down everyone else steps up, without him to rely on they aren’t lazy and are more relaxed and creative. (Sorry about that link being subscription, but talk […]
Kobe Out Five Games, Maybe More
Doing their best Matt Leinart imitation, Laker doctors asked for more time. The official word after the MRI is that Kobe did indeed suffer a severe ankle sprain and he will be re-evaluated in 72 hours. The one move the Lakers did make was to put him on the IR, which means he will miss […]
Television and Radio Notes
Two things of interest in the LA Times Media column today: 1) KCAL (channel 9) is again going to start tape-delaying Laker games on the East Coast — games that start at 4 p.m. Pacific will now not start on television until 5:30 p.m. Five games will meet this criteria, starting Feb. 9 against New […]
Anticipation
A few thoughts while waiting for Kobe’s MRI results: • I’m not as optimistic as Kobe about the severity of his injury after his post-game quotes: “Crunching, instant throbbing. A lot of pain right now. I can’t hop on one leg. My foot, when it’s not weight-bearing, kind of jiggles a little bit, and that […]