Lakers

[SipiTau]

Yeah, but Fisher's 3 game is nice to have as well. If Rondo could stretch the floor with his shot I'd agree. You need a PG who can shoot from the corner in the triangle.

I know....just dreaming.

[Surfah]

I know....just dreaming.

But I know what you mean. It'd be nice to have a defense first, lightning quick PG who can push the break. Farmar will fill Fisher's shoes fine I think. I heard rumors of Heinrich for Odom. I don't like it.

[SipiTau]

I heard rumors of Heinrich for Odom. I don't like it.

LO drives me crazy, but he's a matchup nightmare when he's on the floor. I hope it's just a rumor.

[TripletDaddy]

Holy crap. Bynum sucks! 42 points and 15 rebounds.

Kobe messed around, got a triple double.

It was a good day.

[Surfah]

Wow. Bynum with a monster game and Kobe with a triple double. 4 straight games with 10+ assists. It was nice to see them not drop 3 in a row after tough losses to the Spurs and Magic with the drubbing of the Cavs. It's a long season yet, and the Lakers have a ton of road games. We need Farmar healthy to save Fishers legs for the post season.

[TripletDaddy]

Wow. Bynum with a monster game and Kobe with a triple double. 4 straight games with 10+ assists. It was nice to see them not drop 3 in a row after tough losses to the Spurs and Magic with the drubbing of the Cavs. It's a long season yet, and the Lakers have a ton of road games. We need Farmar healthy to save Fishers legs for the post season.

Farmar interviewed by local news at halftime. He said he is ready to play but the team trainers are holding him back to be safe. He did light drills yesterday, no pain or swelling. Practiced today and shot around before the game, no pain or swelling. He will be back for the 6-game swing.

[TripletDaddy]

Having Farmar back made a big difference. Fish is not playing so many minutes and Farmar gets 14 points. While Farmar's defense needs work, at least he has the energy to stay near his man while he is in.

Walton has been a nice add back into the lineup, as well.

Bynum gets another double double.

Ariza scores 17 points. Ariza is rad.

[Surfah]

Having Farmar back made a big difference. Fish is not playing so many minutes and Farmar gets 14 points. While Farmar's defense needs work, at least he has the energy to stay near his man while he is in.

Walton has been a nice add back into the lineup, as well.

Bynum gets another double double.

Ariza scores 17 points. Ariza is rad.

I was traveling down to Florida, thank goodness for XM radio, and listened to the game. Now I just need to see the highlight of Ariza's dunk. Spero and Mychal were going nuts over it.

It was nice to see Farmar get back into it. Fast recovery, like a month ahead of schedule. Glad to see him get a game in before the road trip.

[cougjunkie]

F*** the Lakers and their home town refs. Lakers shot twice as many free throws as San Antonio (32-16).

Ok that made me feel better, in reality the Lakers have a way better bunch and can hold or even expand a lead when they go to the bench. I think the starting 5 for San Antonio (if you are talking Ginobili) can hang with LA but depth is where it kills them.

The nice thing is that come playoff time, they will get every other day off and they can play their starters big minutes. Lakers are obviously the team to beat in the NBA, Spurs are obviously the 2nd best team in the West. Nobody else really matters.

[TripletDaddy]

F*** the Lakers and their home town refs. Lakers shot twice as many free throws as San Antonio (32-16).

Ok that made me feel better, in reality the Lakers have a way better bunch and can hold or even expand a lead when they go to the bench. I think the starting 5 for San Antonio (if you are talking Ginobili) can hang with LA but depth is where it kills them.

The nice thing is that come playoff time, they will get every other day off and they can play their starters big minutes. Lakers are obviously the team to beat in the NBA, Spurs are obviously the 2nd best team in the West. Nobody else really matters.

The thing that will kill everyone else in the playoffs is that PJ will go with his heavy bench rotations and wind up gassing the opponent's starters by the 4th quarter. This is one year where he won't have to play his starters with heavy minutes because, as you said, the bench can hold a lead....or increase it.

Why is Pao Gasol not getting any MVP talk? That guy has been such an amazing pick-up for the Lakers, it is almost sickening (almost as sickening as his interior defense, admittedly). Did anyone catch that crazy no-look behind his head pass tonight? The guy can hit jumpers, can pass the ball, can hit free throws, etc......he is meshing well with Bynum, as well. I think the league should be concerned.

[Surfah]

F*** the Lakers and their home town refs. Lakers shot twice as many free throws as San Antonio (32-16).

Ok that made me feel better, in reality the Lakers have a way better bunch and can hold or even expand a lead when they go to the bench. I think the starting 5 for San Antonio (if you are talking Ginobili) can hang with LA but depth is where it kills them.

The nice thing is that come playoff time, they will get every other day off and they can play their starters big minutes. Lakers are obviously the team to beat in the NBA, Spurs are obviously the 2nd best team in the West. Nobody else really matters.

You're right. I think after the Spurs the West falls off a bit. I wonder how long the Spurs can keep it up though with their big 3. They have been able to throw role players around them to compete, but the era of diminishing returns is creeping up on them fast.

[cougjunkie]

You're right. I think after the Spurs the West falls off a bit. I wonder how long the Spurs can keep it up though with their big 3. They have been able to throw role players around them to compete, but the era of diminishing returns is creeping up on them fast.

This Spurs team is eerily similar to the Championship teams. Except Ginobili is not 100%. If he can bounce back they will be serious contenders. Roger Mason Jr. and Matt Bonner are 2nd and 4th in the NBA in 3pt percentage. Tim Duncan is still one of the best interior defenders of all time. Tony Parker might be the best finisher around the rim besides maybe Lebron. But Ginobili is the X factor for this team and he is really struggling trying to get back from that ankle/heel injury.

I also think they need that 4th player to step up, every championship year they have had that 4th player, 2003: Stephen Jackson, 2005: Glenn "Big Dog" Robinson and Devin Brown. 2007: Michael Finley.

I think Roger Mason jr has to be that guy this year. The other thing they are lacking is another post defender to play along side Timmy. Bonner had to guard Gasol today. Kurt Thomas is not what he used to be and Oberto has been injured. Hopefully they can make a move their has been talks about trying to land Joe Smith.

[Surfah]

This Spurs team is eerily similar to the Championship teams. Except Ginobili is not 100%. If he can bounce back they will be serious contenders. Roger Mason Jr. and Matt Bonner are 2nd and 4th in the NBA in 3pt percentage. Tim Duncan is still one of the best interior defenders of all time. Tony Parker might be the best finisher around the rim besides maybe Lebron. But Ginobili is the X factor for this team and he is really struggling trying to get back from that ankle/heel injury.

I also think they need that 4th player to step up, every championship year they have had that 4th player, 2003: Stephen Jackson, 2005: Glenn "Big Dog" Robinson and Devin Brown. 2007: Michael Finley.

I think Roger Mason jr has to be that guy this year. The other thing they are lacking is another post defender to play along side Timmy. Bonner had to guard Gasol today. Kurt Thomas is not what he used to be and Oberto has been injured. Hopefully they can make a move their has been talks about trying to land Joe Smith.

You think Joe Smith helps them?

Parker is great. He's actually 3rd in finishing in the paint for his position behind Derrick Rose and Wade.

I don't think the Spurs are that close to their championship teams as you think, but you take away their 2-7 start and they're up there with the Lakers, Celtics, Magic, and Cavs.

They have always had that plug and play system like you describe where as long as the core is healthy they can surround him with Horry's and Barry's. But how do the Spurs maintain that? Are they just going to ride it out for as long as possible? Doesn't seem to be a bad plan. I mean they have owned this decade with the Lakers.

[cougjunkie]

You think Joe Smith helps them?

Parker is great. He's actually 3rd in finishing in the paint for his position behind Derrick Rose and Wade.

I don't think the Spurs are that close to their championship teams as you think, but you take away their 2-7 start and they're up there with the Lakers, Celtics, Magic, and Cavs.

They have always had that plug and play system like you describe where as long as the core is healthy they can surround him with Horry's and Barry's. But how do the Spurs maintain that? Are they just going to ride it out for as long as possible? Doesn't seem to be a bad plan. I mean they have owned this decade with the Lakers.

I think they have until Timmys contract runs out at the end of 2011/12 season. Although Parkers runs out the year before that. So maybe 3 years left tops. I think most likely two after this season. They made a huge mistake in trading Scola. Now they have Tiago Splitter stashed over in Europe he could be someone to build around. Parker is still only 26, Ginobili is 31 and Duncan is 33. George Hill looks like he has a nice future as a role player. I dont know I think this team has lost a step obviously but they can still be good. Also you know as well as I do that the Spurs always turn it on come playoff time.

[TripletDaddy]

Wow, so now am I starting to wonder.....are we witnessing the birth of a legitimate monster? 27 points, 15 rebounds. Bynum seems to be gaining lots of momentum as a result of increased confidence. He is showing an arsenal of moves, showing more patient getting set up on the block, and has obviously improved his footwork.

Last year I mentioned on CB during the playoffs that missing Bynum and Ariza was a big deal. The idea was met with derision. I won't mention names....

One thing that isn't getting a lot of pub re: Bynum's recent emergence.....he works out daily with Kareem....Can you imagine 2 hours or so each day with the greatest NBA center of all time, giving you tips, pointers, coaching you, etc..

Interestingly, Jim Buss gets all the credit for Bynum. He was the one that drafted him, not Mitch.

Lakers take Game 1 of important road trip. Let's see how the respond tomorrow...Memphis, 2nd night of a back to back, on the road, late flight out of Minnesota tonight.