Trodgers on Game 1: Rockets @ Kobes

The Starting Five PJ (that's what I call him) went with a starting lineup of Fisher, Kobe, Walton, Turiaf, and Kwame. Without looking at any stats, I would say that the group was one of LA's best lineups. Fisher played a hell of a game at the PG spot, providing solid D, hitting the big shots, giving Kobe the only offensive help LA could muster, and racking up 4 steals. Fisher finished with 17 points, 2 assists, 1 board. Kobe obviously struggled early, couldn't get his FTs to fall, and tried to do too much (more on this in a bit). Then it became crunch time and Kobe just lit it up. He finished at 41% shooting, scored 45 points, added 8 boards, 4 assists, 4 steals, and a block. Walton did the little things, including a fantastic job of trapping late in the game, added 8-5-4. His man-to-man defense was atrocious. Turiaf only managed 24 minutes because of foul trouble, but his 8 points, 5 boards, 1 block, 1 steal, 1 assist and fantastic effort should be noted. Kwame Brown had just 4 points (on 3 shots), missed all 4 of his FTs, but grabbed 8 boards (4 offensive) and just 1 TO. His man defense on Yao was solid.

The Pine Riders
Outside the starters, the only person who had a respectable performance was Jordan Farmar, who showed flashes later in the game of being a sparkplug and possible floor general. He can learn a ton from Derek Fisher, however, so I like him watching Fish from the bench. Bynum was enigmatic as ever: 4 points, 5 boards, 2 assists, 3 steals, a block are all nice, but his defense was shoddy and he looked lost. I hate to retreat to that criticism, but it's apt here. Still, compared to Evans, Cook, Karl, and Mihm, Bynum was a saint.

What did I like? LA showed some heart, passion, character, fight, toughness. I loved that. LA never gave up.

What did I dislike? Rusty performance from Kobe. Too much shooting from him early. Not enough movement from people on the floor. I swear only Kobe, Fisher, and Turiaf know how to move on the floor without the ball. The defense showed massive lapses when the offense sputtered. LA struggled to score without Kobe on the court. This is where LA needs Odom.

Overall impression: I cannot be angry about this loss. I can be angry about the clear foul on Kobe at the end of the game that was not called, but I think that without Odom and with Kobe shooting only 67% on FTs, the Lakers showed that they can hang with one of the teams that is predicted to be a powerhouse. I was pleasantly surprised. And my lord, it's great to have Fisher back.

Good post, out of all the bench players Mo Evans played the worst, he forced up shots, got outrebounded and picked up fouls, they should activate Crittenton and look to trade Evans expiring k.

popo wrote:Good post, out of all the bench players Mo Evans played the worst, he forced up shots, got outrebounded and picked up fouls, they should activate Crittenton and look to trade Evans expiring k.

I thought Cook played the worst, but Evans was wretched as well. Not sure what was wrong with him tonight because he's usually pretty reliable. I'd ship Karl and JC down to the D League.

thanks for this, I agree fully. Turiaf starting really pumped me up, I really hope he stays out there once Odom comes back, and PJ makes Walton the 6th man.

Farmar played some scrappy D on T-Mac for a few stretches and seemed to hold his own on some possessions, well as well as anyone can against one of the best scorers in the league.

Fish was solid, but for the sake of the season, 34 minutes is too long for him. i know the team needed him, but I would've liked to see Farmar and he split 50/50 (or at least have J-Critt pick up some slack)...

speaking of J-Critt, where art thou?

Najim wrote:thanks for this, I agree fully. Turiaf starting really pumped me up, I really hope he stays out there once Odom comes back, and PJ makes Walton the 6th man.

Absolutely. Walton on the 2nd unit = golden. He organizes that unit, provides a bit of scoring punch, and can play at the 3 or the 4. Kobe-Odom-Turiaf-Kwame is a HUGE lineup.

Farmar played some scrappy D on T-Mac for a few stretches and seemed to hold his own on some possessions, well as well as anyone can against one of the best scorers in the league.

Yeah, T-Mac was feeling it tonight. Not much can be done about that short of letting Kobe take him every possession.

Fish was solid, but for the sake of the season, 34 minutes is too long for him. i know the team needed him, but I would've liked to see Farmar and he split 50/50 (or at least have J-Critt pick up some slack)...

It will happen. It was game 1, PJ didn't want to get blown out. I like Farmar a lot, but I absolutely love Derek Fisher. He plays superbly with Kobe. He can handle the game very well because he sets the tone. When he passes the ball, he moves immediately. When he doesn't have the ball, he is still moving. He's on the floor, he's hustling. He's just an amazing guy.

speaking of J-Critt, where art thou?

In street clothes behind the bench.

How do you think we will do against the Suns?

I forgot we had a bench this game. Cook, Mo, Bynum, they were all bad.

What do you really expect from Evans? He's a hustle player and that's about it.

JKsnoots wrote:What do you really expect from Evans? He's a hustle player and that's about it.

Not picking up cheap fouls every chance he gets out there. His hustle tonight was horrid, he got outrebounded by Bonzi Wells.

JKsnoots wrote:What do you really expect from Evans? He's a hustle player and that's about it.

Not much, hit a few shots, play some d, not as soon as you come in to blow the lead. He and Cook just were detrimental tonight, I still like Mo, just a bad game is all. I expect him and the rest of them to bounce back, they always do.

Maybe Mo would be better suited for football with that freak athleticism & body.

JKsnoots wrote:What do you really expect from Evans? He's a hustle player and that's about it.

Evans is a decent 3pt shooter, a respectable scorer, is quite athletic, and is strong. I really expect him to pour his heart out when he's on the floor because if he does, he's a good defender who can pick up some of that scoring burden. I especially expect him to move on offense and work hard on D.

Bench was just bad tonight. Where was my boy Sasha?

Well this is an extremely positive outlook.

TXLAKERFAN wrote:Well this is an extremely positive outlook.

Plenty to be concerned about, but we have 81 games for that. I'm happy to accentuate the positive while admitting the negative.