I am not sure that Lamar ever disappears completely. I think that is how Phil uses him. Lamar is always filling up the stat column in assists and rebounds. I honestly think he could score 18-20 a night if he needed to.
The game against the Heat on Monday could be Lamar every game if he were the #1 guy on a team.
I also expected more out of Luke Walton this season. Phil seems to have him handling the ball a bit too much. He's a great passer, but he isn't the best ball handler in the world. I love that Phil has faith in him though.
I agree completely about Kwame. He's a beast in the paint, but his hands are made of concrete.
Smush is the one who disappers from game to game in my opinion.
Another thing that deserves a mention tonight is the team defense in the 2nd half. It would have been VERY easy for the Lakers to give up at the half. Impressive.
You may be right about Lamar - maybe over the allstar break he can talk with Phil about the triangle, what is expected, and how he can really fill the role Scottie Pippin once held.
Smush does disappear, but I don't think they expected him to be the presence he is in some games.
No one is talking about Proffit (sp) and how his injury has hurt the team - I think he was a Caron Butler in the making, and his absence is being felt much more than we realize - he was explosive coming off the bench - I just hope he recovers from his injury.
I thought Kobe was remarkably mellow in his post-game interview - he seems to be reverting to older form, trying to be more humble. The fact that he pointed to Magic's support as being so important, even if only partly true, is a good sign.
Give this guy some decent support, and who knows where we could go. Regardless, this ride should be far more entertaining than last season.
I also like the fact that he had to end the interview because he promised his daughter that he would give her a bath. That was too cute.
I wouldn't look to this as anything but an aberation. We need a team, not a player. this will get us nowhere in the playoffs. But, do great for ratings.
Oh, I didn't mean to use this game as an example of Kobe being selfish or anything. It was his night and he took advantage of it; that's great. I'm just speaking in generalities.
I truly don't know if Kobe has the character on the court to do what Jordon did with his teams - bring them up together. He has the ability to bail them out, but he did not trust this current set of team mates. I don't think we will honestly know whether the comparison is fair until Kobe is surrounding by stronger players who he can feel comfortable passing the ball to with a reasonable belief they will score.
Five years ago he did not have it in him. These past three -fours years have show some development and recognition it appears that he cannot win alone. It may take a few more seasons, and stronger casts of characters to ever know if he can do this.
I don't knowing jack about sports that is why I am on broadwayworld.com
When someone blunders, we say that he makes a misstep. Is it then not clear that all the ills of mankind, all the tragic misfortunes that fill our history books, all the political blunders, all the failures of the great leaders have arisen merely from a lack of skill in dancing. - Moliere
I don't knowing jack about sports that is why I am on broadwayworld.com
Right, because people can't have multiple interests.
I love theater, I love baseball, and I have an unhealthy preoccupation with the comics Fables and Sandman. What can I say; I contain multitudes. Besides, it's boring to just fixate on one thing constantly. Diversify! It's good for your brain.
Maybe Dancergirl just doesn't like the KOBE talk. I certainly hope it is not trying to stiffle our right to talk sports if we want.
Although what can I say 81!!!! that was refrickin'dickulous! As far as 15 assists goes, it will never happen. I mean the other Lakers would need to actually HIT fifteen shots.
I didn't want to start a new thread for this. However, the Lakers are playing great team ball and are up 3-1 after Kobe gets the shot at the buzzer in OT.
