JSM
Clublakers Site Manager
Joined: 28 Apr 2003
Posts: 69773
Location: Atlanta
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 Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2006 12:51 am Post subject: LA Times Blog: Coverage of Lakers vs. Grizz game |
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LA Times Blog: AK will be along shortly to pitch in with his observations, but here's what I saw at the 111-108 loss to Memphis-
First of all, Bynum didn't play because of what was described, I believe, as a bruised right knee suffered in yesterday's big win over the sort-of Wizards. He finished last night's game but apparently experienced some discomfort and rather than risk serious injury on a game that registered about a -59 on the Meaningful Scale, he sat. Nobody seemed concerned.
Strong night once again from Farmar. 23 points on 7-15 from the field, including 2-4 from beyond the arc. Three assists against four turnovers- not so good- but he again displayed a knack for getting into the lane. That's the good part. Unfortunately, he almost seemed to get there too quick and/or penetrate too deeply and didn't leave himself in position to finish. As a result, he had a couple fairly wild layup attempts. But overall, he was strong. It wasn't his best showing of the series, but like I said at the start of the league, you want your #1 to be one of the best guys on the floor. Again, Farmar was tonight.
Devin Green came on strong late in the fourth as the Lakers nearly managed to tie the game, drilling a three and also penetrating for points (mercifully, he and his teammates were unablet o push the game into overtime). A couple dimes, three boards, two steals to go along with the points. I see him as a sort of Shane Battier for the summer (and summer only). Very little flash, but by the end of the game, he's done some good things. Green shot the ball well throughout most of the SPL, a huge deal for him in terms of making the team. Still may not happen, but he certainly didn't hurt himself this year in summer play.
With Bynum out, Ed Fobbs got the start and set a land speed record for recording offensive fouls- two within what seemed like two minutes into the first quarter, both on moving picks. Fobbs would finish with seven fouls, meaning the Grizzlies got to shoot one of those weird SPL technicals that take place for every personal a player picks up after his sixth. You literally can't foul out of one of these games, although after he recorded his sixth foul with about 40 seconds left, Memphis forward Hakim Warrick called it a night (before, it seemed, like he was actually removed from the court by the Memphis coaching staff). He heard the whistle, made the "I can't believe that call!" face, then just strolled off the hardwood and into the locker room. Quite an exit.
Other than that, there wasn't much to speak of. Douthit played a quietly solid game, grabbing eleven boards and an equal number of points. Plus he threw in a great block of a Memphis dunk attempt in the first half. That was great. Post defense was okay, not great. I don't think he has any sort of shot at sticking on the Lakers roster, but at worst he probably made himself appealing to another NBA (less likely) or overseas squad (more likely).
Marcus Slaughter also had a nice game on the boards (nine in 24:26) and ended up with 17 points. He's a big, strong guy with a good NBA type body. Like Douthit, I don't think he has a real shot at making the team, but I like his aggressiveness and willingness to bang around underneath.
The rest of the highlights belong to the trio of Grizzlies who are actual NBA players (Kyle Lowry, Rudy Gay, Hakim Warrick). That is one athletic bunch. Despite this being my third Lakers-Grizzlies game of the last ten days or so, it was my first time seeing Gay. The kid is explosive, to say the very least. It's easy to see in SPL the guys who stick out, generally because they're head and shoulders above the competition in one way or another. For Gay, it was how easily he got off the ground. Other than maybe Warrick, who every time he jumps it seems like he might enter the Earth's orbit, there wasn't anyone who got airborne like Gay. Lowry played his best game of the three I've seen, if memory serves (these summer games have a way of burying themselves in the deep recesses of one's memory). Too many turnovers (six) but the rest was nice. He's also athletic out the yin-yang.
So that's it. SPL is over. Had the Lakers record (5-3) not been printed on the box score, I wouldn't have had a clue how they did. In all, you have to be pleased with Farmar and Bynum, and Pinnock as well (didn't do much tonight, but overall played pretty well). Green showed a much improved outside game to go along with his general all around good play. Von? Very disappointing summer. It was going to be hard for him to repeat as a Laker before the summer games started. He didn't make it any easier on himself. Looks like my limited edition Von Wafer bobblehead could become a collectors item.*
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