Lakers Thread

[Patr1ck]

No 3's policy? So how are they going to stretch the defense?

[shadowgrin]

how are they going to stretch the defense?

Kobe.

[[Q]]

No 3's policy? So how are they going to stretch the defense?

Yeah, I have no idea. They haven't stretched the defense in the 1st 4 games so attempts close to the basket have been few and far between, especially with no low post presence on the team. Their inability to get inside has forced them to midrange jumpers. During the game against the Clippers, I did see some good Princeton offense action, some cuts to the basket for easy buckets, some positive things that they need to be able to do consistently

[Jackal]

Don't w miss Nick Young, Steve Nash, Xavier Henry and his output from last year and that pg who went to another team as well? Was Pau really going to explode with this set of teammates?

On reddit they just specifically miss him with most of them being about his passing etc. Pau was always good to play through, he just got a lot of flak because he couldn't carry the team as a #1 option when Kobe was out. Heck some Bulls fans kept calling him washed up because he isn't as athletic as he used to be.

You guys see that conversation with Kobe and Byron taking about how many points he should probably put up? Byron said "I'm thinking like 30, 35, for tonight." I hope it was a joke because the microphones were on them.

Haha that was about minutes. He played around 28-29 the previous nights (partly due to blowouts) but he needed more minutes tonight. You can hear Kobe say yeah I can go/do that.

Went to the Lakers game on Friday. Byron's no 3 policy is forcing them into a lot of contested long 2s which is killing them. Luckily in that game Hill got hot/lucky and hit a bunch of midrange shots he normally misses.

To be honest; the team doesn't really have three point shooters atm. I expect the attempts will go up once Nick/Kelly return.

[Patr1ck]

Ah, cool to know that was about minutes. Don't know how I missed that.

[[Q]]

Yeah I'd say at this point Ellington is their best 3 point shooter not named Kobe. Lin is decent and price will hit occasionally but young will help with that once he gets back

[Andrew]

So, Kobe had 39 points against the Suns, but it came on 37 shot attempts (of which he made 14). That drops him to 40.2% on the season, including 30.4% from long range, and 75% from the free throw line. His 37 attempts were two more than the rest of the Lakers' starters combined, and while he's still a great athlete and tremendously talented, he does look like he's lost a step, particularly on defense. Meanwhile, the Lakers lose another game to drop to 0-5.

At this juncture, I think that's pretty much how their season is going to go: Kobe frantically gunning his way past Michael Jordan on the all-time regular season scoring leaders, shooting a very ordinary percentage along the way, while the team loses a whole lot of games.

[Arcane]

Take in to account an 82 game season(providing he doesn't get injured) and most likely NBA All-Star Weekend events with potentially being expected to play 42+ minutes a game he is going to become so fatigued and his FG% could drop further.

[NovU]

So, Kobe had 39 points against the Suns, but it came on 37 shot attempts (of which he made 14). That drops him to 40.2% on the season, including 30.4% from long range, and 75% from the free throw line. His 37 attempts were two more than the rest of the Lakers' starters combined, and while he's still a great athlete and tremendously talented, he does look like he's lost a step, particularly on defense. Meanwhile, the Lakers lose another game to drop to 0-5.

At this juncture, I think that's pretty much how their season is going to go: Kobe frantically gunning his way past Michael Jordan on the all-time regular season scoring leaders, shooting a very ordinary percentage along the way, while the team loses a whole lot of games.

Right on the point.

It seems the management had this planned out from long ago when they decided to tie him to a big contract. Fans come to see Kobe and that's exactly what they're going to give to the fans this season, ultimate Kobe show. There is not a player that comes close to such ridiculous usage rate at his age in league history. He's given the team to run entirely the way he wants with zero restraint.

But as the loss keeps piling up, criticism will grow bigger and bigger. I wonder how the management will handle that. Right now, they're content selling tickets via Kobe show, but the fans eventually will demand for more.

[Jackal]

Only upside to this is that the Lakers might lose enough to actually get a chance at top 5 which they won't have to give up.

[Bruce]

Only upside to this is that the Lakers might lose enough to actually get a chance at top 5 which they won't have to give up.

Sad but it seems like this is the way to go. 5 games into the season and we are already looking to the next season. With practically no more picks to give up in the near future and the old Lin and Boozer is no where in sight, I hope the Lakers can get some sort of an upgrade this and next summer with names like aldridge, millsap, kanter and rondo coming up in 2015 then names like wall, dragic, hibbert and durant in 2016.

[Jackal]

Boozer is terrible.

[Bruce]

Boozer is terrible.

given that this is a contract year for both Lin & Boozer, they should be hauling ass out there.

[Andrew]

Boozer looks past being able to play for a payday.

[[Q]]

I don't remember him being in the game at the end vs Phoenix. Pretty sure he was on the bench, where he belongs

[Kevin]

Oh well.

[Bruce]

Boozer looks past being able to play for a payday.

at least he should make it look like he still belongs in the NBA

[Andrew]

On the bright side, at least the Lakers aren't paying him $15 million a year, as he was getting in Chicago.

[Bruce]

On the bright side, at least the Lakers aren't paying him $15 million a year, as he was getting in Chicago.

I feel you brah!

[NovU]

Linsanity! Now that was more like it. Boozer was also on tonight, he's my personal pick for player of the game for the Lakers tonight because of that crucial 3rd quarter performance. Ed Davis also crucial, very aggressive.

I still didn't like Lakers offense though. Kobe's 1 man game, Lin's out of control in air passes, Boozer's post up game. That's pretty much the system.

[[Q]]

Meh. Booze didn't do much other than hit a few buckets in the 3rd. But it did spark that huge run for them.

Lakers were getting more easy buckets and seem to be getting more comfortable in getting these easy buckets. Ellington and Davis need more PT. Less boozer and Johnson pls

[Alpha_]

Finally, a W.

[Kevin]

WE won! WE now on the Finals beybeh

[air gordon]

40% isn't ordinary. That is mediocre!

Pau is indeed washed up. Good stuff

What were lakers fans expectations heading into the season??

[Jackal]

I wasn't expecting much. Was looking forward to seeing Kobe back and Julius Randle. That's about it. Right now I'm just hoping they get a top 5 pick.

Boozer was far from player of the game. He hit a couple of jumpers in the third but if I'm not mistaken all 5 of his fouls were push fouls on the offensive end. After like 2 you sort of figure not to do it anymore, right? Davis at least plays like a real big. Sacre/Hill and Boozer are pretty much jumpshooters.