Overmatched, outclassed, embarrassed. How does a team respond to that kind of thorough beating? Never mind Kobe's attempt at minimalization with his loss is a loss attitude. At the very least, I want to see us mad....mad at something....acting like we care. If not for personal pride, what about for Lakers pride? What about the franchise, the history, the fans, hell even the haters?
The purple and gold is more than what happened last night. Yeah, the Suns played a helluva game but that game was increasingly helped by our barely lackluster play on what I guess was supposed to be the defensive end. How is it Phil hasn't found a way to make any of his teams during his L.A. tenure understand defending the pick and roll? That oh so simple play has been the stick in our ass for years now.
And personally, Jordan Farmar was the only guy I saw step up last night. Lamar had a quick start but when his dunk got pinned and then stolen in mid-air by Amare, his fire extinguished. Kobe tried to facilitate but with no finish Kwame blowing layups like a hooker at the pointe, it became moot.
Simply put...lose Thursday, and we might as well call Mr. Clean and ask to borrow his dustpan cuz we will be swept.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Friday, April 13, 2007
AP Story on Jungle Fever
Before anyone gets in an uproar of my insensitivity, remember that I am happily interracialized matrimonally speaking.
Interracial Marriages Surge Across U.S. By DAVID CRARY AP National Writer NEW YORK — The charisma king of the 2008 presidential field. The world's best golfer. The captain of the New York Yankees. Besides superstardom, Barack Obama, Tiger Woods and Derek Jeter have another common bond: Each is the child of an interracial marriage. For most of U.S. history, in most communities, such unions were taboo.
Interracial Marriages Surge Across U.S. By DAVID CRARY AP National Writer NEW YORK — The charisma king of the 2008 presidential field. The world's best golfer. The captain of the New York Yankees. Besides superstardom, Barack Obama, Tiger Woods and Derek Jeter have another common bond: Each is the child of an interracial marriage. For most of U.S. history, in most communities, such unions were taboo.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Quick Note on Denver Game
The most interesting, and oddly enough, least reported stat from last night's 115-111 loss is the free throws attempted. Denver was given, awarded, allowed -- however you want to say it as long as the implication of bad ref'ing is noted -- 49 free throws last night. The Lakers had what would be an average, maybe a bit above average 28.
The age old argument of free throws as a result of bad defense or bad referees.... last night it was bad referees. One example, and then it's back to work. Ok, two that my beer fogged mind can recall. Luke Walton jumps for a rebound, receives an elbow to the face from Nene in mid air as the ball is tipped to Najera. Turiaf stands behind Najera and gives what can be described as no more than a bump; more like a tap if anything. Where does the whistle come? On the elbow to the face that if Kobe had done would have resulted in 7 free throws and the ball? Nope, that was missed.....Najera goes to the line.
Example two: Under a minute to go, Kobe feeds Brian Cook a pass underneath. Brian Cook attempts a layup, gets clobbered by -- yep -- Nene. No call made, scramble for the loose ball results in Nene tap dancing at the end line, throwing the ball to AI who trips -- on his own feet -- as Luke Walton jumps over his legs. Whistle - Luke Walton on the foul.
Lastly, -- yeah I know I said two but this one just came to me -- Kobe Bryant fronts Carmelo on an inbounds pass. Carmelo -- with both hands -- shoves Kobe to the floor to get open for the pass. Refs missed it. Which is fine except for the fact that it happened in front of two of the three refs, the one handing the ball to the inbounder and the one on the end line.
Horrible job, cost a game and likely a playoff spot. That's not to say the Lakers aren't at fault. After all, when you're coming back in every game that means you were playing like shit for the previous 3 quarters. But when it's eight on five, the task becomes even more daunting.
The age old argument of free throws as a result of bad defense or bad referees.... last night it was bad referees. One example, and then it's back to work. Ok, two that my beer fogged mind can recall. Luke Walton jumps for a rebound, receives an elbow to the face from Nene in mid air as the ball is tipped to Najera. Turiaf stands behind Najera and gives what can be described as no more than a bump; more like a tap if anything. Where does the whistle come? On the elbow to the face that if Kobe had done would have resulted in 7 free throws and the ball? Nope, that was missed.....Najera goes to the line.
Example two: Under a minute to go, Kobe feeds Brian Cook a pass underneath. Brian Cook attempts a layup, gets clobbered by -- yep -- Nene. No call made, scramble for the loose ball results in Nene tap dancing at the end line, throwing the ball to AI who trips -- on his own feet -- as Luke Walton jumps over his legs. Whistle - Luke Walton on the foul.
Lastly, -- yeah I know I said two but this one just came to me -- Kobe Bryant fronts Carmelo on an inbounds pass. Carmelo -- with both hands -- shoves Kobe to the floor to get open for the pass. Refs missed it. Which is fine except for the fact that it happened in front of two of the three refs, the one handing the ball to the inbounder and the one on the end line.
Horrible job, cost a game and likely a playoff spot. That's not to say the Lakers aren't at fault. After all, when you're coming back in every game that means you were playing like shit for the previous 3 quarters. But when it's eight on five, the task becomes even more daunting.
Monday, April 09, 2007
Why so close to .500
If you're a Lakers fan wondering why we're so close to the dreaded .500 season, you may be surprised to find out that it's not because of our tough conference. In fact, we are 26-21 against our conference. It's the under .500 record against the considerably weaker Eastern Conference. We are 14 -16 against the Eastern Conference.
There is no excuse for that. No amount of injuries can explain that away. If we were equally bad against the West, then injuries could be our crutch, pun intended. But we aren't, indeed we have the 5th best record against the west in the western conference......
There is no excuse for that. No amount of injuries can explain that away. If we were equally bad against the West, then injuries could be our crutch, pun intended. But we aren't, indeed we have the 5th best record against the west in the western conference......
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Nuttin Honey
A VA hospital in Los Angeles has formally apologized to what I presume can be considered a former patient after removing the wrong testicle. They removed his healthy nut and left the bad nut.
But they did say sorry.....
Technorati Tags: testicles, apologies
But they did say sorry.....
Technorati Tags: testicles, apologies
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
A bit backwards
Halle Berry was awarded with a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame yesterday. Great achievement for her and definitely deserved.
Here's the backwards part....Ryan Seacrest has had a star for nearly a year now. Hmm, Halle Berry a year behind Seacrest out? This is why I'm not a fan of Hollywood....Seacrest has to his achievement....American Idol host....no skill really required there...and a top 40 radio show....for this he is immortalized with Marilyn Monroe, Humphrey Bogart, Halle Berry, Clint Eastwood....
Here's the backwards part....Ryan Seacrest has had a star for nearly a year now. Hmm, Halle Berry a year behind Seacrest out? This is why I'm not a fan of Hollywood....Seacrest has to his achievement....American Idol host....no skill really required there...and a top 40 radio show....for this he is immortalized with Marilyn Monroe, Humphrey Bogart, Halle Berry, Clint Eastwood....
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