On the Eights: Part 2

Record: After starting off 5-3, LA stepped it up a notch going 6-2 to run their record to 11-5. LA now holds the division lead and is holding on to the third seed in the Western Conference.
Grade: A-

Coaching: Jackson really falling into a set rotation now, which is nice to see. I’d like to see Ronny Turiaf playing a bit more, but that’s my only complaint. Jackson says he will bench Bynum because Andrew did not “earn” the starting spot. I love to see that in a coach. After building up Bynum’s confidence, Jackson challenges him. Defensively, however, LA needs to be a bit tougher.
Grade: B

Front Court: Kwame Brown comes up big in most of his recent games, Bynum struggles a bit, and Odom goes off. It’s great to see the way Odom and Walton are playing right now. Walton is hitting two-thirds of his treys while Odom is above 19 points per game. Odom is staying aggressive (taking fewer than 13 shots only once in his past seven games), which is making things easier for Kobe Bryant.
Grade: B

Back Court: While they struggled in the first eight games, the Back Court received a HUGE boost when Kobe’s knee had time to recover. Bryant is clearly at at least 90%, and showed off his explosiveness with a 52-point game, averaging 35.7 points over his last six games. Smush Parker played one of his best games tonight with 11-6-4. LA rookie PG Jordan Farmar has turned up his game a notch. He is now a reliable outside shooter in addition to showing off great ability to create in traffic.
Grade: B+

Bench: Wow! Mo Evans (17 points, 5 boards), Vlad Radmanovic (11 points), Turiaf (8 points, 3 boards, 2 assists, 2 blocks), and Farmar (10-7-5) all had at least one big game in the last eight. Bynum, probably the backup going forward, will thrive as a backup. This is not the bench of previous seasons; LA’s bench can help close out games, as the last two have shown.
Grade: A

Lakers’ Ace: There is only one Kobe Bryant. With two 40-point games, both resulting in wins, over the last six games, Kobe’s scoring punch is back. Tonight’s game marked his first game with more than 2 TO in his last six. Bryant is also shooting just below 50% on FG, and is near 85% on free throws. His 3-point shot is improving since a slow start. As his knees continue to improve and his lift returns, that number should be up as well. Bryant has also locked down several big scorers early this season, with only a massive lapse aginst Redd marring that record.

Hot Seat: PG will continue to be a question mark, but it’s really the Center spot that concerns me at present. Kwame Brown looks like an all-star some nights, but like a stiff at other times. Andrew Bynum seems to have all the offense that Kwame doesn’t, but has not earned more than 20 minutes in a game since November 19th. It may not matter who starts, as these two are effective rotating. They are averaging 15.7 points, 12.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 2.5 blocks in 44.7 minutes per game. This is a nice competition becuase it’s so far not destructive to the team; it’s great to see two young guys fighting hard for playing time and helping out the team in the process.

Big Question: Is Luke Walton for real? 12 points, 5 boards, 3 assists, and 66% on threes? The guys is playing out of his mind, is such a vital cog for LA’s offense right now. Can he keep it up?

Preview: The next eight games feature just two away games again. A game at Houston and one in Dallas mean that LA will face a tough road trip to the Lone Star State. LA may have to be thankful for a 1-1 split there. The Hornets at home could be a problem given Chris Paul’s ridiculous play. San Antonio is going to be a battle, and depending upon Tracy McGrady’s health, a Houston showdown could be a tough one. I’m hoping for excitement in Dallas. I’ll be in attendance.

Prediction for the next 8: 5-3
Lakers probably beat Indiana, Atlanta, Washington, and Houston (at home). They probably lose to San Antonio. They probably split their road trip in Texas. And New Orleans is tough if Paul is on his game so I call it a push. Lakers are hot right now, and a 5-3 record would put them at 16-8, which is well beyond my highest expectations at the start of this season.