The defending champs built on a 5 point half time lead increasing to 14 during a stretch and leading by 11 with 10 minutes to go only to give up 16 unanswered points and lose for the first time this season. I haven't seen Pau play too many bad games but on this one time and time again he could not buy a bucket even though he scored 17 points. It's bad enough to have their Robin have an average game but when the supporting cast doesn't show up, things don't end well. Lamar hit only 1 of 6 shots and bench support Blake and Barnes combined for just 9 points on 4/10 shooting. Kobe had to resort to old ways launching 32 shots missing 21 of them. The depleted Nuggets playing without K-Mart and the Birdman still produced 43 points from the reserves, led by Ty Lawson's 17, who orchestrated the deciding run. The Lakers won the rebound battle, but lost the assist as they looked to their MVP to bail them out and Denver used a team effort. 118 so far is the most post point the Champs have allowed, disappointing finish.
Player of the game: Carmelo Anthony, did not seem distracted led the Nugs with 32 pts 13 rbs.
X-Factor: Ty Lawson, scored 11 of his 17 pts on the 16-0 run, and also had 5 assists.
Should Have Been Benched: Bench quarterback Steve Blake was pretty much non existent in 16 minutes 3 points in 1/3 shooting 1 assist.
Laker Hater: Nene is one of the few non-Laker players I've liked, but he picked a hell of a time to have his season high points, 18. Thanks for nothing Nene, hater.
Overtime: Kobe Bryant became the youngest player to reach 26, 000 pts, he is currently 12th all-time. Even if he averages just 20 pts for the rest of the season and plays all remaining games he will still end up as the 6th all time leading scorer, behind one time one-two punch The Big Once Was.
Since arriving in LA Ron Ron has had his share of shut downs against the NBAs elite, one player he was brought in to stop was Melo. Hasn't been that way though in 4 meetings, the Nugs have taken 3, with Melo averaging 27 pts per game, scoring only 21 pts in his only loss. Melo has scored 25 pts or more in all wins and shot over 50% on all three as well. Clearly Melo is not impressed with Ron Ron's resume.
Monday, November 22, 2010
8-0
At worst, the Champs still managed to win against one of the leagues poor teams. Playing their poorest game of the season, the Lakers escaped with a vicotory against former Lakers blue collar player turned coach, Kurt Rambis. While the young T'pups have a nice collection of talent, they are still haunted by the curse of KG and gave the Lakers a much tougher battle than expected. Again the Lakers were outrebounded and only a way too high final tally of 25 turnover by the Pups saved them from embarrassment. They better get focused for the next game when they visit Mile High.
Player of the Game: Kevin Love, outstanding game for the young gold medalist on a loosing cause, 23 points 24 rebounds, 11 offensive.
X-Factor: Newcomer Matt Barnes played well during Odom's foul plagued night coming off with 2 stls and hitting 4 of 5 shots to lead the bench with 9 points, he had the hightest +/- for the team.
Laker Hater: Lottery bust Donnie Darko hit double figures for the first time this season, and first since April.
Overtime: Kevin Love is the first player to record a 20/20 against the Lakers since Superman did it back in January 2009.
Player of the Game: Kevin Love, outstanding game for the young gold medalist on a loosing cause, 23 points 24 rebounds, 11 offensive.
X-Factor: Newcomer Matt Barnes played well during Odom's foul plagued night coming off with 2 stls and hitting 4 of 5 shots to lead the bench with 9 points, he had the hightest +/- for the team.
Laker Hater: Lottery bust Donnie Darko hit double figures for the first time this season, and first since April.
Overtime: Kevin Love is the first player to record a 20/20 against the Lakers since Superman did it back in January 2009.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Games 3 to 7
Have had a pretty hectic schedule and have not been able to do a full analysis of the Lakers perfect record thus far. The defending champs are perfect so far taking advantage of their favorable schedule, much to haters dismay and have looked pretty good doing it except for a surprisingly tough game vs. the Raptors. After squeezing by the Houston Rockets on ring night, the Lakers went and took care of division rival Phoneix in a rematch of the West Finals last season.
Golden State
The next victims were another division rival, young guns Golden State Warriors in the new unis and also bringing a perfect record. The champs showed that perfection this early means squat as they stormed to 20 point first qtr lead and did not look back. All starters except Ron Ron reached double figures, Odom & Gasol finished with double doubles. The improved bench only chipped in 25 pts, but at least did not give the lead back as last years bench was accustomed to.
Player of the Game: The Spaniard, 26 pts 12 rbs, making it look easy.
X-Factor: Lamar Odom, when he plays like an All-Star, good things happen, 16 pts, 14 boards, and shooting great, perfect from downtown 2/2
Should Have Been Benched: Rookie Devin Ebanks finished with a -12 and missed all 4 shots in 12 minutes of play, he's not gonna get much double figure playing time, he needs to make the best of if when it happens.
Laker Hater: Brendan Wright scored more points in this game that in the first two combined, typical.
Overtime: Rookies Ebanks and Caracter logged in their first points as pros, Caracter with a FG, and Ebanks from the stripe.
Memphis
Two franchises that forever will be linked due to the last name Gasol. The offensive talented Grizzlies became the latest victim as the Lakers led by as many as 29 in the first half to cruise to their 4th straight victory. If anything negative about the champs can be said it is that they gave up 105 pts & turned the ball over 19 times.
Player of the game: What can Brown do for you? Shannon continues his good play scoring in double figures for the second time in four games, including 3/3 from downtown, he finished with 13 total.
X-Factor: Newcomer UCLA alumni Matt Barnes led the team in rebounds while coming off the bench. Barnes added 16 pts to go with his boards, 9 of his 16 were off the offensive glass.
Should Have Been Benched: The forgotten Machine, logged in 3 minutes of play missed his only shot, turned the ball over, and hit only 1 of 2 freebies.
Laker Hater: Gold medalist Rudy Gay tallied his season high with 30 pts, going perfect from downtown (3), and the stripe (3) , and 12/18 overall. I mean I know he's capable of big numbers, but he sure didn't shoot the well the previous 3 games
Overtime: Lamar Odom scored his 11,000th career point, and became the 10th fastest to that many points, 6,000 rbs, and 3,000 assists.
Sacramento
Queens. Cow Town. Purple Paupers, don't matter how Lakers fans know them, it is still fun to beat Sacramento years after C-Webb & company moved on. Sac-town is one of those teams that no matter how lousy they are you know they're gonna play big when Lakers are in town. The young Kings actually made the game interesting after Ron Ron's 3 gave the a 20 point lead capping 13-1 run. With another victory in place, the Champs grew bored or needed a challenge, for they played just awful for an extended period allowing Kings to come within 7 points. All World Pau Gasol couldn't hit, Odom scared the fans when he hunched over in pain and he also couldn't hit in the ocean. Future Hall of Famer Mamba decided to take matter in his own hands, but again failed to score, so who comes to the rescue? The ever dependable, old, Derek Fisher. Fish would score 6 quick points after the lead was cut before Mamba put the game away with a 3 point play of his own, but it was Fish clutch shooting and defense who ignited the run, not bad for an "overrated" flopper eh? All starters hit double figures, bench scored only 14 pts, hope this is not a trend of back to back nights.
Player of the Game: Kobe Bryant, while shooting bricks in the fourth, still finished with his 17th career triple double 30 pts, 10 rbs, 12 assts
X-Factor: Derek Fisher scored only 11 pts, but scored when was needed putting the game away finishing with a game high +24.
Should Have Been Benched: After his great shooting the previous game, Shannon Brown came back to Earth going 0/3 in just 12 mins.
Laker Hater: Francisco Garcia, had shot a combined 3/8, 0 from downtown the previous 2 games, his tally for this game 6/10 including 3/6 from treys and 1 less rebound than his overall total so far, yes, definitely hatin'
Toronto
Their All-Star is gone, they're top free agent last year traded, their #1 pick has 1 more season before being declared a legit bust, they came in with just 1 victory going against the undefeated, loaded, defending champs, should be a blow out right? WRONG. Nothing's ever simple for the boys from La-La Land. The champs face a tougher game than expected and escaped with a victory against the 1 win Raptors. Lamar Odom had his first bad game of the season and the Raptors got a huge boost from their bench which had 3 playes in double figures, Amir Johnson 15 boards, 9 offensive, to go with his 12 points. The Raptors out rebounded the Lakers by 18! Are you kidding me, they got a total of 19 offensive rebounds, how in the hell did the Lakers win, well, the 21 turnovers by the Raptors had something to do with it.
Player of the game: The Spaniard 30 pts, 7 boards, 2 blks, perfect from the stripe.
X-Factor: Newcomer, Steve Blake 4-6 from downtown, I remember how much it used to piss me off to see him do that to the Lakers, glad he is doing it for them now.
Should Have Been Benched: Big man, Theo Ratliff, just cannot seem to find his spot.
Laker Hater: Amir Johnson's previous high in Off Rebs? 6, almost 3 yrs ago, previous high in boards? 14, January 2009. Numbers against the Lakers? Career highs in both 15 total rebounds, with 9 offensive, along with 12 points, last double double for him came in April. Hatin' indeed.
Portland
After their lackluster performance against the Raptors, the champs opened up a can o' whup ass against Conference rival Rip City Blazers. The Lakers ended with 7 players in double figures leading by as many as 29 pts and some extreme garbage time. Ron Ron along with 11 pts, pretty much took All Star Brandon Roy out of the equation and the Blazers never recovered from a big first quarter deficit. The Spaniard finished with his 4th career triple double, 2nd with the Lakers. The new bench mob produced 45 points.
Player of the game: Pau Gasol, 20 pts, 14 rebs, 10 assists and an the highlight of the night, catching a off the board pass from Steve Blake.
X-Factor: Ron Artest was brought for this reason, to make life a living hell for the opposing team's All stars while he's guarding them, just like he did to Brandon Roy who was only able to take 6 shots all night making just 1.
Should Have Been Benched: How could you not score a single point in garbage time? Ratliff continues to struggle for the champs, get well soon fast 'Drew!
Laker Hater: Rudy Fernandez is very capable of scoring runs, he just hasn't done it this season, of course he plays the Lakers and he hits double figures for the first time shoot over 50% for the first time this season. It's funny what the purple & gold cause players to do.
Overtime: The last time Lakers were 7-0 was on 2002, when they were also going for a three-peat.
Golden State
The next victims were another division rival, young guns Golden State Warriors in the new unis and also bringing a perfect record. The champs showed that perfection this early means squat as they stormed to 20 point first qtr lead and did not look back. All starters except Ron Ron reached double figures, Odom & Gasol finished with double doubles. The improved bench only chipped in 25 pts, but at least did not give the lead back as last years bench was accustomed to.
Player of the Game: The Spaniard, 26 pts 12 rbs, making it look easy.
X-Factor: Lamar Odom, when he plays like an All-Star, good things happen, 16 pts, 14 boards, and shooting great, perfect from downtown 2/2
Should Have Been Benched: Rookie Devin Ebanks finished with a -12 and missed all 4 shots in 12 minutes of play, he's not gonna get much double figure playing time, he needs to make the best of if when it happens.
Laker Hater: Brendan Wright scored more points in this game that in the first two combined, typical.
Overtime: Rookies Ebanks and Caracter logged in their first points as pros, Caracter with a FG, and Ebanks from the stripe.
Memphis
Two franchises that forever will be linked due to the last name Gasol. The offensive talented Grizzlies became the latest victim as the Lakers led by as many as 29 in the first half to cruise to their 4th straight victory. If anything negative about the champs can be said it is that they gave up 105 pts & turned the ball over 19 times.
Player of the game: What can Brown do for you? Shannon continues his good play scoring in double figures for the second time in four games, including 3/3 from downtown, he finished with 13 total.
X-Factor: Newcomer UCLA alumni Matt Barnes led the team in rebounds while coming off the bench. Barnes added 16 pts to go with his boards, 9 of his 16 were off the offensive glass.
Should Have Been Benched: The forgotten Machine, logged in 3 minutes of play missed his only shot, turned the ball over, and hit only 1 of 2 freebies.
Laker Hater: Gold medalist Rudy Gay tallied his season high with 30 pts, going perfect from downtown (3), and the stripe (3) , and 12/18 overall. I mean I know he's capable of big numbers, but he sure didn't shoot the well the previous 3 games
Overtime: Lamar Odom scored his 11,000th career point, and became the 10th fastest to that many points, 6,000 rbs, and 3,000 assists.
Sacramento
Queens. Cow Town. Purple Paupers, don't matter how Lakers fans know them, it is still fun to beat Sacramento years after C-Webb & company moved on. Sac-town is one of those teams that no matter how lousy they are you know they're gonna play big when Lakers are in town. The young Kings actually made the game interesting after Ron Ron's 3 gave the a 20 point lead capping 13-1 run. With another victory in place, the Champs grew bored or needed a challenge, for they played just awful for an extended period allowing Kings to come within 7 points. All World Pau Gasol couldn't hit, Odom scared the fans when he hunched over in pain and he also couldn't hit in the ocean. Future Hall of Famer Mamba decided to take matter in his own hands, but again failed to score, so who comes to the rescue? The ever dependable, old, Derek Fisher. Fish would score 6 quick points after the lead was cut before Mamba put the game away with a 3 point play of his own, but it was Fish clutch shooting and defense who ignited the run, not bad for an "overrated" flopper eh? All starters hit double figures, bench scored only 14 pts, hope this is not a trend of back to back nights.
Player of the Game: Kobe Bryant, while shooting bricks in the fourth, still finished with his 17th career triple double 30 pts, 10 rbs, 12 assts
X-Factor: Derek Fisher scored only 11 pts, but scored when was needed putting the game away finishing with a game high +24.
Should Have Been Benched: After his great shooting the previous game, Shannon Brown came back to Earth going 0/3 in just 12 mins.
Laker Hater: Francisco Garcia, had shot a combined 3/8, 0 from downtown the previous 2 games, his tally for this game 6/10 including 3/6 from treys and 1 less rebound than his overall total so far, yes, definitely hatin'
Toronto
Their All-Star is gone, they're top free agent last year traded, their #1 pick has 1 more season before being declared a legit bust, they came in with just 1 victory going against the undefeated, loaded, defending champs, should be a blow out right? WRONG. Nothing's ever simple for the boys from La-La Land. The champs face a tougher game than expected and escaped with a victory against the 1 win Raptors. Lamar Odom had his first bad game of the season and the Raptors got a huge boost from their bench which had 3 playes in double figures, Amir Johnson 15 boards, 9 offensive, to go with his 12 points. The Raptors out rebounded the Lakers by 18! Are you kidding me, they got a total of 19 offensive rebounds, how in the hell did the Lakers win, well, the 21 turnovers by the Raptors had something to do with it.
Player of the game: The Spaniard 30 pts, 7 boards, 2 blks, perfect from the stripe.
X-Factor: Newcomer, Steve Blake 4-6 from downtown, I remember how much it used to piss me off to see him do that to the Lakers, glad he is doing it for them now.
Should Have Been Benched: Big man, Theo Ratliff, just cannot seem to find his spot.
Laker Hater: Amir Johnson's previous high in Off Rebs? 6, almost 3 yrs ago, previous high in boards? 14, January 2009. Numbers against the Lakers? Career highs in both 15 total rebounds, with 9 offensive, along with 12 points, last double double for him came in April. Hatin' indeed.
Portland
After their lackluster performance against the Raptors, the champs opened up a can o' whup ass against Conference rival Rip City Blazers. The Lakers ended with 7 players in double figures leading by as many as 29 pts and some extreme garbage time. Ron Ron along with 11 pts, pretty much took All Star Brandon Roy out of the equation and the Blazers never recovered from a big first quarter deficit. The Spaniard finished with his 4th career triple double, 2nd with the Lakers. The new bench mob produced 45 points.
Player of the game: Pau Gasol, 20 pts, 14 rebs, 10 assists and an the highlight of the night, catching a off the board pass from Steve Blake.
X-Factor: Ron Artest was brought for this reason, to make life a living hell for the opposing team's All stars while he's guarding them, just like he did to Brandon Roy who was only able to take 6 shots all night making just 1.
Should Have Been Benched: How could you not score a single point in garbage time? Ratliff continues to struggle for the champs, get well soon fast 'Drew!
Laker Hater: Rudy Fernandez is very capable of scoring runs, he just hasn't done it this season, of course he plays the Lakers and he hits double figures for the first time shoot over 50% for the first time this season. It's funny what the purple & gold cause players to do.
Overtime: The last time Lakers were 7-0 was on 2002, when they were also going for a three-peat.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Lakers win 2010 WCF rematch
Five months after last meeting, the West finalists met again, this time with some new faces. Gone is big man Amare Stoudemire for Phoenix and the Champs strengthened their bench with 2 key additions, and are still missing their starting big man. The Lakers won or tied every quarter and almost ran away with it before the Suns made one last run. The Suns back court shot poorly all game and even though their new big man, Robin Lopez chipped in nicely 18 pts, 14 rebs, the Lakers best post player, Pau Gasol, pretty much did whatever he wanted on the block. The Suns bench still won the scoring battle, but the Lakers starters all go to double figures, and even though they only won the rebound battle by 3, at times the Lakers length made it look to easy.
Player of the Game: Pau Gasol, near triple double, 21 pts, 8 rbs, 9 asts, dictated from the post.
X-Factor: Lamar Odom, continues his stellar play following the World Championships, his final tally was 18 pts, 17 rbs, 5 assts.
Should Have Been Benched: New face vet Theo Ratliff was the only low point for the Lakers, 8 minutes 0 pts, 0 rbs.
Laker Hater: Robin Lopez had more pts, rebs in this game, than the first two combined.
Overtime: Phil Jackson became the fastest to reach 1,100 wins as a head coach, accomplishing it 1,560 games. Only 4 other coaches have reached that milestone, former Lakers Coach & current Miami mastermind, Pat Riley, the great Jerry Sloan, Don Nelson, and Lenny Wilkens.
Player of the Game: Pau Gasol, near triple double, 21 pts, 8 rbs, 9 asts, dictated from the post.
X-Factor: Lamar Odom, continues his stellar play following the World Championships, his final tally was 18 pts, 17 rbs, 5 assts.
Should Have Been Benched: New face vet Theo Ratliff was the only low point for the Lakers, 8 minutes 0 pts, 0 rbs.
Laker Hater: Robin Lopez had more pts, rebs in this game, than the first two combined.
Overtime: Phil Jackson became the fastest to reach 1,100 wins as a head coach, accomplishing it 1,560 games. Only 4 other coaches have reached that milestone, former Lakers Coach & current Miami mastermind, Pat Riley, the great Jerry Sloan, Don Nelson, and Lenny Wilkens.
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