Years ago I came up with the phrase "The Kobe Bryant Career Wing-Span," because I wanted to compare the greatness of his play against the play of other players who played the game during his career.
As a "pure" basketball fan I want to acknowledge the greatness of Kobe Bryant because the greatness just can't be denied. Over the years I've been disappointed in some of the things Kobe did, which led me to stop really caring about him as a basketball player.
Now, here I am and my feelings about Kobe haven't really changed that much. As a person, I'm not really a Kobe Bryant fan. But, as a basketball fan...the guy is right up there with the "best ever" in my opinion.
I think he hurt his legacy when forced a trade that brought Pau Gasol to the Lakers for Kwame Brown. Not that the trade wasn't a good trade for the Lakers. But for the legacy of Kobe Bryant, I think it was a terrible trade. I just think that Kobe, at the time, at the height of his amazing-"ness," he could have found a way to make it work out with Kwame, Odom, Fisher and other pieces. And if he had, he, no doubt, would have had to go down as the greatest basketball player ever! But, at that time, he made excuses for his "ball-hogging," and made a scrapegoat of Kwame Brown. But, that was then, and this is now.
With the current Lakers' roster, Kobe has a chance to go back in time, if you will, and do something for his legacy that could bring him in as the second best basketball player in NBA history. I'm sorry, but when he, basically, forced the trade of Kwame Brown for Pau Gasol, he gave away his chance to surpass the great Michael Jordan as the greatest player ever. Nothing Kobe does now will ever make him better than Michael Jordan. Absolutely nothing!
But, again, with the current Lakers' roster, he has a chance to finish his career as the second best to Michael. Kobe still has Gasol and Bynum, but even, still, to this date, Bynum hasn't proven himself to be "all that." So, for this season Andrew Bynum is still a question mark as to how good he really is. Or how healthy he can stay. Other than Gasol and Bynum, the rest of the Lakers' roster has to be a question mark, too.
If by chance, the Lakers can get to the finals, and win it all, Kobe Bryant will have had to have played the best basketball of his career. With the new CBA the league has changed. Over and over I've pointed out that the new CBA is going to, basically, pit big-market teams against small-market teams. I've broken that down to mean the following: big-market teams seem to be going with a roster model of 3 superstars. And small-market teams have to go with a balanced roster model since they have trouble holding on to their superstars.
The logic being this: big-market teams have the money to afford the 3 superstars, while small-market teams don't. And, of course, big-market teams have the attraction of the "big-stage." But, with the new CBA, big-market teams just can't go out and buy the rest of the players they need to fill out their rosters to a championship level, hence, the big-market 3 superstar roster model is born. By default, the small-market balanced roster model is thrown into existence.
The best example of the big-market 3 superstar roster model goes to two teams: the Miami Heat and the New York Knicks. Both teams spent most of their salary cap money on 3 superstars. And both teams are having trouble filling out the rest of their rosters with players that will help them get over the top to win the championship.
Broken down, it comes to this: the Heat have no center to get them to the promised land so they can win it all. In this league, if you don't have a defensive center, you are not going to win it all and that just a fact.
The Knicks went and signed "the best" center in this year's market. Tyson Chandler cannot be describe as anything more than a defensive center, because on the offensive end of the game, he can't create his own shot. He's good for alley-oops, of course. And he can hit a wide-open jumper, but to create his own shot? No way! We'll leave it at that. The real issue is the rest of the Knicks' roster behind their big 3. Do I really need to explain? They come up real short and don't have the money in cap space to do anything about it other than rely on some ball player wanting to join them at a cheap price for a chance to win it all. The question, for the Knicks, has to be this: are there even those type of players out there for them to sign in hopes of winning it all? I don't think so.
So, you see what the new CBA has done, right? It has put limits on what big-market teams can do. Now, let's see what it has done out here in the West. Which teams have 3 stars on their rosters?
Dallas: Dirk, Kidd, and who else, who else, who else? (who else spoken in rapid succession with an Al Pacino acting craze)
San Antonio: Duncan, Parker, and Ginobili?
Oklahoma City: Durant, Westbrook, and who else, who else, who else?
Los Angeles Lakers: Bryant, Gasol, and Bynum.
Awwwh, those Los Angeles Lakers! They have the big 3 superstars. Both what they have, which other 3 superstar teams don't have, is a balanced roster to go along with the 3 superstars. Yes, the Lakers have a bench. Led by Metta World Peace, the Lakers, also, have Troy Murphy and Josh McRoberts to call on in relief of their big men. Both Murphy and McRoberts seem to be decent at rebounding the ball. Rebounds is what makes the NBA go round and round. That is huge. Then they have a couple of 3-point shooters in Blake and Kapono. But the biggest asset the Lakers have, behind their big 3, might be their new coach, Mike Brown.
If coach Brown can get the players, Kobe, to buy into his basketball defensive philosophy, that would allow Murphy and McRoberts to really shine in their abilities. Murphy, throughout his career has been a double/double guy, and if he could get close to that...that could be dangerous in coach Brown's approach to the game. McRoberts is always going to give the team an energetic effort. But, alas, it all comes down to Kobe Bryant.
As I mentioned, I came up with the phrase: The Kobe Bryant Career-Wing Span a few years ago when people were talking about the best player in the league. Back then the discussion revolved around Kobe, Iverson, Carter, McGrady and others as to who was the best in the league at the time. That was in the middle of Kobe's career. At the beginning of his career he played against the likes of Michael Jordan. Now, going towards the end of his career, we have LeBron James in the best player in the league discussion.
Can you picture that? Let me help you a bit. Picture Kobe with two basketballs. One in each hand as he extends his arms in opposite directions. That's his wing span, of course. The players in his career wing span: Jordan, Shaq, Carter, McGrady, Iverson, James, Wade, Anthony, Duncan, Garnett, who else, who else, who else? In that career wing span what do we see? 5 NBA championships. Countless All-Star appearances, and what else, what else, what else? Oh yeah, he's still going strong.
Carter and McGrady are limping to the end of their careers. Shaq is done. Iverson's attitude was so bad, he can't even finish his career. Nobody wants him. But, Kobe, if he buys into coach Brown's philosophy, still has a chance to win at the highest level. But, what does that really mean? Does he over-pass the ball trying to be the good teammate? Or does he try to dominate the game like he used to be able to do? With this current Lakers roster, he might have to blend the two styles to perfection, because he has a chance, with what the new CBA has done to the league, to come out on top, again, this year. And if Kobe can do that, the discussion isn't about who is the best player in the league right now, but who is the best player in NBA history.
Again, with this Lakers roster, Kobe can secure his place as the second best player in NBA history, because...oh, wait! If Kobe leads the Lakers to a championship this year, with this roster...the debate has to be if he's the best ever. Not second best. This Lakers' roster is good as in balanced. This roster requires commitment to defense and ball movement on offense. This roster has good professional basketball players who understand what it means to play the game the right way. The only question is this: how great is Kobe Bryant going towards the latter part of his career? Can he play the game the right way without giving the impression that he's pouting if doesn't get enough shots, like he used to do?
mike t.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Knicks vs. Lakers
1st Quarter
After the first quarter of play the Lakers led the Knicks by score of 31-24. Between New York's big 3, they had 21 of the Knicks' 24 points. Can you imagine that? But what makes it even more interesting is that Landry Fields opened the game with a 3-pointer for the Knicks. So, after Fields hit the opening 3-pointer for the team, the Knicks didn't get another point from anyone outside of their big 3. Do you wonder why the Lakers led at the end of 1st quarter by 8?
The Lakers, who I claim have 3 big stars, too, have a much better bench than the Knicks and they had 5 players score in the 1st quarter: 4 starters and 1 bench player.
__________
2nd Quarter
Mid-way through the 2nd quarter the Lakers built a lead of 14 points as the scoring pattern continued for the Knicks. Up to the halfway point of the quarter the Knicks' other players had scored a combined 10 points between them. Finally, Steve Novak hit a 3-pointer for the Knicks to pull to within 11 points of the Lakers. And consider that the Lakers are playing with only 2 of their big 3, as Andrew Bynum fulfills his suspension.
At the midway point of the game the Knicks' big 3 had 38 of the teams 51 points. The Knicks had 4 players, outside the big 3, who scored 3 points each. The point? It's hard to beat anyone with only 3 players. Plus, to give up 63 points in a half? That is not good defense in any shape or form.
At the half the Lakers led the Knicks 63-51 as the Lakers' bench scored 25 points.
__________
3rd Quarter
The third quarter started out pretty slow for both teams. With 2:58 left in the quarter the Lakers had outscored the Knicks 11-10. Can you imagine that? After only giving up 11 points in the quarter to the Lakers, the Knicks fell another point behind from the halftime score.
The Knicks were able to score 10 points in the final 2:58 minutes to cut the Lakers lead to 8 points at 80-72, thanks to a Novak 3-pointer with 2 seconds to go in the quarter. The Lakers bench didn't score a point in the quarter.
__________
4th Quarter
The Lakers open the 4th quarter scoring with 4 points as Josh McRoberts gets his second alley-oop of the game. Can you imagine that? 2 alley-oops for McRoberts in the same game? lol! How's that for the Knicks' defense?
Halfway through the 4th quarter the Lakers have only scored 7 points, but still build their lead to 87-75 as the Knicks have only scored 3 points in the quarter.
Suddenly, the Lakers extended their lead to 97-77, as the Lakers go on a 10-2 run with 2:39 remaining in the game.
With 2 minutes remaining the Lakers put Luke Walton and Devin Ebank in the game for Bryant and Gasol as, in the mind of coach Brown, victory is assured.
The final score: Los Angeles Lakers 99 New York Knicks 82.
__________
Post Game Comments
So early in the season, what can we take away from this game?
For the Knicks it has to be this: you can't spend all your salary cap money on 3 players and expect to win games.
For the Lakers: they are not as bad off as some people make them out to be. The Lakers are 2-2 without Andrew Bynum, but could easily be 3-1 if it weren't for the Bulls pulling out a win in the season opener.
The Lakers, when Bynum comes back in their next game, will have a pretty good bench with Peace, McRoberts, Murphy, Blake, and Barns filling in for the starters.
Looking around the league, there aren't too many teams that have 3 stars and a decent bench as the make-up of their roster. The new CBA is hard to get around. But, there are teams with balanced rosters without the 3 star model, but, how all that works out in this lock-out shortened season; it's hard to tell. But, the Lakers are not in bad shape at all.
mike t.
After the first quarter of play the Lakers led the Knicks by score of 31-24. Between New York's big 3, they had 21 of the Knicks' 24 points. Can you imagine that? But what makes it even more interesting is that Landry Fields opened the game with a 3-pointer for the Knicks. So, after Fields hit the opening 3-pointer for the team, the Knicks didn't get another point from anyone outside of their big 3. Do you wonder why the Lakers led at the end of 1st quarter by 8?
The Lakers, who I claim have 3 big stars, too, have a much better bench than the Knicks and they had 5 players score in the 1st quarter: 4 starters and 1 bench player.
__________
2nd Quarter
Mid-way through the 2nd quarter the Lakers built a lead of 14 points as the scoring pattern continued for the Knicks. Up to the halfway point of the quarter the Knicks' other players had scored a combined 10 points between them. Finally, Steve Novak hit a 3-pointer for the Knicks to pull to within 11 points of the Lakers. And consider that the Lakers are playing with only 2 of their big 3, as Andrew Bynum fulfills his suspension.
At the midway point of the game the Knicks' big 3 had 38 of the teams 51 points. The Knicks had 4 players, outside the big 3, who scored 3 points each. The point? It's hard to beat anyone with only 3 players. Plus, to give up 63 points in a half? That is not good defense in any shape or form.
At the half the Lakers led the Knicks 63-51 as the Lakers' bench scored 25 points.
__________
3rd Quarter
The third quarter started out pretty slow for both teams. With 2:58 left in the quarter the Lakers had outscored the Knicks 11-10. Can you imagine that? After only giving up 11 points in the quarter to the Lakers, the Knicks fell another point behind from the halftime score.
The Knicks were able to score 10 points in the final 2:58 minutes to cut the Lakers lead to 8 points at 80-72, thanks to a Novak 3-pointer with 2 seconds to go in the quarter. The Lakers bench didn't score a point in the quarter.
__________
4th Quarter
The Lakers open the 4th quarter scoring with 4 points as Josh McRoberts gets his second alley-oop of the game. Can you imagine that? 2 alley-oops for McRoberts in the same game? lol! How's that for the Knicks' defense?
Halfway through the 4th quarter the Lakers have only scored 7 points, but still build their lead to 87-75 as the Knicks have only scored 3 points in the quarter.
Suddenly, the Lakers extended their lead to 97-77, as the Lakers go on a 10-2 run with 2:39 remaining in the game.
With 2 minutes remaining the Lakers put Luke Walton and Devin Ebank in the game for Bryant and Gasol as, in the mind of coach Brown, victory is assured.
The final score: Los Angeles Lakers 99 New York Knicks 82.
__________
Post Game Comments
So early in the season, what can we take away from this game?
For the Knicks it has to be this: you can't spend all your salary cap money on 3 players and expect to win games.
For the Lakers: they are not as bad off as some people make them out to be. The Lakers are 2-2 without Andrew Bynum, but could easily be 3-1 if it weren't for the Bulls pulling out a win in the season opener.
The Lakers, when Bynum comes back in their next game, will have a pretty good bench with Peace, McRoberts, Murphy, Blake, and Barns filling in for the starters.
Looking around the league, there aren't too many teams that have 3 stars and a decent bench as the make-up of their roster. The new CBA is hard to get around. But, there are teams with balanced rosters without the 3 star model, but, how all that works out in this lock-out shortened season; it's hard to tell. But, the Lakers are not in bad shape at all.
mike t.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Game on all over the League!
Wow! It's game on in this lock-out shortened season.
HEAT VS. BOBCATS:
Tonight the mighty mighty Miami Heat got by with a 1-point win over the lowly Charlotte Bobcats. This is a perfect example of the big-market 3 superstar roster model vs. the small-market balanced roster model. Yes, the Heat have the 3 superstars, but neither of those superstars plays center. And in this league, without a defensive center, there will be no championship for that team.
The Bobcats are seriously young with Henderson, Augustin, D.J. White, Walker, and Biyombo. They have a couple of vets in Diaw and Maggette.
Without a defensive center the 6'8" Diaw was able to pull down 16 rebounds against the Heat, while Joel, the Heat center, pulled down 4 boards with 0 points. Against the Bobcats the Heat were able to pull out a win, but with a more experienced team with size in the middle...what will the Heat do?
___________
CELTICS VS. HORNETS
The Celtics are off to a 0-3 start. Where do we begin to explain that away? Are the Celtics suddenly too old to compete for a championship? That may very well be the case, as Jermaine O'Neal is starting his 17th season. Anyway you cut that, that is old! And it's no secret that he is not producing as much as is expected from him as a defensive center. What? Oh, here we go, again, the theme to my basketball philosophy. If you don't have a defensive center, you are not going to win a championship. That's plain and simple.
The Hornet have 3 seven footers on their roster with Emeka Okafor, Chris Kaman, and Jason Smith. For this game against the Celtics, the Hornets used both Okafor and Kaman at the same time for good stretches of the game. The results are: 25 points and 15 rebounds between the two players. Then you add Okafor's 5 blocked shots to Kaman's 3 blocks and you have 8 blocked shot between them. Is that defense or what? That is huge without a doubt. That is like having Dwight Howard playing center for you.
Boston has to be scratching their heads, and trades have to be going through their mind.
___________
THUNDER VS. GRIZZLIES
The Thunder are a young team, but they do have a defensive center in Kendrick Perkins, while the Grizzlies have Marc Gasol. Gasol finished with a double/double 16-10. But, the Thunder come away with the win.
In my opinion, your positive stats only count when you win. Just like Kevin Love, in Minnesota, is racking up the rebounding stats, his team has yet to win a game as is the case with the Grizzlies. In fact, the starting front line for the Grizzlies each had a double/double. Gasol with 16-10, Randolph with 16-10, and Gay with 15-12. But, the Grizzlies lose!
The Thunder starting front line had 16 rebounds between them. But, in the forth quarter the team only allowed the Grizzlies to score 13 points. What does that mean? It means that the stats do have a way of not telling the truth! There is a stat that isn't recorded in a game because it doesn't exist. There is no stat to account for court configuration. What does that mean? It means that Perkins, Durant, Ibaka, and Mohammed seal the lane and force opposing teams to shot from the outside. That means less lay-ups. If you take away the easy shots, lay-up, from a team, you have a great basketball philosophy, because you'r sealing the lane pretty well.
Sealing the lane or clogging the lane are the same thing. Protecting the rim is different from sealing the lane. When you protect the rim that means the ball is at the rim. That means there is penetration. When you seal the lane, there is no penetration. Protecting the rim will get you a lot of blocked shots, "defensive stats," while sealing the lane goes unnoticed in the stat game. But, sealing the lane is way better than having to protect the rim.
The Thunder seal the lane, which is what Perkins used to do in Boston.
No defensive center; no championship!
___________
CLIPPERS VS. SPURS
What did Blake Griffin say when they got Chris Paul? Lob City? OK! Spurs 115 - Clippers 90.
The problem with Lob City tonight is that they're playing an established defensive philosophical basketball team. Even though the Spurs are old, they still play the D professionally. Lob City my butt!
Outside of Mo Williams, take a look at the Clippers bench scoring. 9 points?
Sure the Clippers got Chris Paul, but look at the bench. This roster has no balance whatsoever. The Clippers were, also, very high on DeAndre Jordan. Tonight he had 8 and 8, while the Spurs 6'8" and 270 lb. DeJuan Blair had 20 points and 6 rebounds in the battle of the 5 spot.
The Spurs are just old-time basketball team. Each starter scored in double figures. Now, take a look at their point-guard, Tony Parker: 14 points and 9 assists. That is a player knowing his role and playing it. Off the bench James Anderson had 12 points. Who is James Anderson? He's the Spurs 1st round draft pick from a year ago. He contributes now because it takes a year to learn the system, and the Spurs' system is based on team ball. A young guy can come to San Antonio and depend on the team approach to basketball. And if that player has any talent, he'll contribute. Then you have T.J. Ford playing 20 minutes at the point guard position in relief of Parker. He had 5 assists. Reserve Kawhi Leonard has 8 rebounds. That is production! That is team ball to perfection.
___________
KNICKS VS. WARRIORS
Coach Mark Jackson has "toned" down the Warriors offensive mind-set and balanced it out with a defensive approach. After 3 quarters of play the score was tied at 64. Then the Warriors went on a 22-6 run to open up the 4th quarter, taking a 86-70 lead.
Stoudemire and Anthony had 29 points between them. The big addition to the team, Chandler, had 2 points and 3 rebounds.
I've followed Chandler's career since he joined the league and my opinion is that the Knicks overpaid for his services. Plus, behind Chandler, who do the Knicks have? Behind Anthony who do the Knicks have. Behind Stoudemire who do the Knicks have? Once, again, we see the 3 superstar approach vs. the balanced roster approach and we see the score.
The new CBA is a dream come true for small-market teams, if they know how to build a roster with capable players, and if they commit to playing the game the right way. Mark Jackson said he would get the Warriors to do just that and, tonight, the small-market team beat the 3 superstar big-market team, and they beat them bad.
Brandon Rush really compliments the Warriors at the shooting-guard position. He brings in size as opposed to the small Ellis. Then you have a defensive center in Kwame Brown coming off the bench to seal the paint. Tonight Brown grabbed 10 boards in 11:40 minutes of play. The Warriors out rebounded the Knicks 47-31. That pretty much said it all.
___________
It's game on all over the league because, outside of the Thunder, no one has a true defensive center to go along with a balanced roster. Well, the Warrior have Kwame Brown, who at 6'11" and 270 lbs., could be for the Warriors, exactly what Perkins was to Boston when the Celtics won it all. He seals the paint with his big body. Let's see if coach Jackson can get the Warriors to buy into playing disciplined basketball.
In this lock-out shortened season, it seems it's anyone's championship to win.
Game on!
mike t.
HEAT VS. BOBCATS:
Tonight the mighty mighty Miami Heat got by with a 1-point win over the lowly Charlotte Bobcats. This is a perfect example of the big-market 3 superstar roster model vs. the small-market balanced roster model. Yes, the Heat have the 3 superstars, but neither of those superstars plays center. And in this league, without a defensive center, there will be no championship for that team.
The Bobcats are seriously young with Henderson, Augustin, D.J. White, Walker, and Biyombo. They have a couple of vets in Diaw and Maggette.
Without a defensive center the 6'8" Diaw was able to pull down 16 rebounds against the Heat, while Joel, the Heat center, pulled down 4 boards with 0 points. Against the Bobcats the Heat were able to pull out a win, but with a more experienced team with size in the middle...what will the Heat do?
___________
CELTICS VS. HORNETS
The Celtics are off to a 0-3 start. Where do we begin to explain that away? Are the Celtics suddenly too old to compete for a championship? That may very well be the case, as Jermaine O'Neal is starting his 17th season. Anyway you cut that, that is old! And it's no secret that he is not producing as much as is expected from him as a defensive center. What? Oh, here we go, again, the theme to my basketball philosophy. If you don't have a defensive center, you are not going to win a championship. That's plain and simple.
The Hornet have 3 seven footers on their roster with Emeka Okafor, Chris Kaman, and Jason Smith. For this game against the Celtics, the Hornets used both Okafor and Kaman at the same time for good stretches of the game. The results are: 25 points and 15 rebounds between the two players. Then you add Okafor's 5 blocked shots to Kaman's 3 blocks and you have 8 blocked shot between them. Is that defense or what? That is huge without a doubt. That is like having Dwight Howard playing center for you.
Boston has to be scratching their heads, and trades have to be going through their mind.
___________
THUNDER VS. GRIZZLIES
The Thunder are a young team, but they do have a defensive center in Kendrick Perkins, while the Grizzlies have Marc Gasol. Gasol finished with a double/double 16-10. But, the Thunder come away with the win.
In my opinion, your positive stats only count when you win. Just like Kevin Love, in Minnesota, is racking up the rebounding stats, his team has yet to win a game as is the case with the Grizzlies. In fact, the starting front line for the Grizzlies each had a double/double. Gasol with 16-10, Randolph with 16-10, and Gay with 15-12. But, the Grizzlies lose!
The Thunder starting front line had 16 rebounds between them. But, in the forth quarter the team only allowed the Grizzlies to score 13 points. What does that mean? It means that the stats do have a way of not telling the truth! There is a stat that isn't recorded in a game because it doesn't exist. There is no stat to account for court configuration. What does that mean? It means that Perkins, Durant, Ibaka, and Mohammed seal the lane and force opposing teams to shot from the outside. That means less lay-ups. If you take away the easy shots, lay-up, from a team, you have a great basketball philosophy, because you'r sealing the lane pretty well.
Sealing the lane or clogging the lane are the same thing. Protecting the rim is different from sealing the lane. When you protect the rim that means the ball is at the rim. That means there is penetration. When you seal the lane, there is no penetration. Protecting the rim will get you a lot of blocked shots, "defensive stats," while sealing the lane goes unnoticed in the stat game. But, sealing the lane is way better than having to protect the rim.
The Thunder seal the lane, which is what Perkins used to do in Boston.
No defensive center; no championship!
___________
CLIPPERS VS. SPURS
What did Blake Griffin say when they got Chris Paul? Lob City? OK! Spurs 115 - Clippers 90.
The problem with Lob City tonight is that they're playing an established defensive philosophical basketball team. Even though the Spurs are old, they still play the D professionally. Lob City my butt!
Outside of Mo Williams, take a look at the Clippers bench scoring. 9 points?
Sure the Clippers got Chris Paul, but look at the bench. This roster has no balance whatsoever. The Clippers were, also, very high on DeAndre Jordan. Tonight he had 8 and 8, while the Spurs 6'8" and 270 lb. DeJuan Blair had 20 points and 6 rebounds in the battle of the 5 spot.
The Spurs are just old-time basketball team. Each starter scored in double figures. Now, take a look at their point-guard, Tony Parker: 14 points and 9 assists. That is a player knowing his role and playing it. Off the bench James Anderson had 12 points. Who is James Anderson? He's the Spurs 1st round draft pick from a year ago. He contributes now because it takes a year to learn the system, and the Spurs' system is based on team ball. A young guy can come to San Antonio and depend on the team approach to basketball. And if that player has any talent, he'll contribute. Then you have T.J. Ford playing 20 minutes at the point guard position in relief of Parker. He had 5 assists. Reserve Kawhi Leonard has 8 rebounds. That is production! That is team ball to perfection.
___________
KNICKS VS. WARRIORS
Coach Mark Jackson has "toned" down the Warriors offensive mind-set and balanced it out with a defensive approach. After 3 quarters of play the score was tied at 64. Then the Warriors went on a 22-6 run to open up the 4th quarter, taking a 86-70 lead.
Stoudemire and Anthony had 29 points between them. The big addition to the team, Chandler, had 2 points and 3 rebounds.
I've followed Chandler's career since he joined the league and my opinion is that the Knicks overpaid for his services. Plus, behind Chandler, who do the Knicks have? Behind Anthony who do the Knicks have. Behind Stoudemire who do the Knicks have? Once, again, we see the 3 superstar approach vs. the balanced roster approach and we see the score.
The new CBA is a dream come true for small-market teams, if they know how to build a roster with capable players, and if they commit to playing the game the right way. Mark Jackson said he would get the Warriors to do just that and, tonight, the small-market team beat the 3 superstar big-market team, and they beat them bad.
Brandon Rush really compliments the Warriors at the shooting-guard position. He brings in size as opposed to the small Ellis. Then you have a defensive center in Kwame Brown coming off the bench to seal the paint. Tonight Brown grabbed 10 boards in 11:40 minutes of play. The Warriors out rebounded the Knicks 47-31. That pretty much said it all.
___________
It's game on all over the league because, outside of the Thunder, no one has a true defensive center to go along with a balanced roster. Well, the Warrior have Kwame Brown, who at 6'11" and 270 lbs., could be for the Warriors, exactly what Perkins was to Boston when the Celtics won it all. He seals the paint with his big body. Let's see if coach Jackson can get the Warriors to buy into playing disciplined basketball.
In this lock-out shortened season, it seems it's anyone's championship to win.
Game on!
mike t.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
The Jazz vs. Lakers
The Lakers win!
On the 3rd game of a back-to-back-to-back the Lakers put a hurting on the Jazz by building a 25 point lead after 3 quarters. Pau Gasol got back on track with a solid game both in scoring and rebounding, finishing with 22 and 9.
Troy Murphy fouled out of the game with 5:23 left in the game. He didn't score a point, but had 11 rebounds and 4 assists. He, also, had a +11 point differential, which is good. For the casual basketball fan, what that means is that while he was on the court, the Lakers were winning by 11 points. That's not bad for not scoring a point.
Metta World Peace had 12 points and 5 rebounds as he seems to picking up his performance as one of the main bench players.
Of course, Kobe Bryant led the way with 26 points. For the 3 games, so far Bryant has scored 83 points, which is a 26.6 average. Kobe might have to lead the league in scoring this season for the Lakers to be competitive.
By the way, no one in the Jazz starting line-up scored more than 8 points. Can you believe that? Millsap scored 18 and Josh Howard scored 10 for the Jazz off the bench. Since Al Jefferson has come to the Jazz his scoring production has come way down.
As for the Lakers and their fans, we await Bynum to see how the Lakers really play and how Murphy and McRoberts will be used off the bench. Who'll get most time off the bench when Bynum comes back? Murphy or McRoberts? I'd go with Murphy.
________
Around the league:
Kevin Love seems to be continuing his rebounding ways by grabbing 20 rebounds. He had 12 in his first game of the season. That's 32 boards in 2 games. That's 16 boards per game. Huge! Too bad the 'Wolves lost both of their games as the 'Wolves fell to the Bucks tonight. The point? Don't be fooled by stats when your team is losing.
The Celtics fell to 0-2 by losing to the Heat 115-107. The Celtics are playing without Paul Pierce so we can't get a real feel for what they're all about this season, yet. But, right now, Jermaine O'Neil is not producing for them at the 5 spot. And a team without a defensive center will not win a championship.
The Heat are 2-0, but they don't have a defensive center, either. Keep your eye on that team. Mark my words: come playoff time, no defensive center, no ring for that team.
After beating the Lakers in their opener, the Kings get crushed in Portland 101-79. Gerald Wallace scored 25 for the 'Blazers and LaMarcus Aldridge scored 24. I guess the Kings aren't really that good or the Lakers are really bad. Too early in the season to tell.
Atlanta vs. New Jersey...snoozer! I'm sorry if that's offensive to the players of both teams. They are professional players, but, I don't think either team is going anywhere anytime soon.
________
Games of interest tomorrow:
New York at Golden State:
New York has the big 3: Anthony, Amare, and Chandler. Mark Jackson is said to be having the Warriors play defense. Let's see how this works out. The Warriors seem to have more balance on their roster as opposed to the East Coast's big city's 3 superstar roster model.
Los Angeles Clippers at San Antonio:
Let's see how good the Clippers really are, and how old San Antonio really is.
Oklahoma City at Memphis:
Let's see how good little brother Gasol really is. This should be a good game. Perkins vs. Gasol in the middle. Randolph vs. Ibaka at the 4 spot. And Durant vs. Gay at the 3 spot.
I give the edge to the Thunder because they have Mohammad to relieve Perkins. Mohammad always gives good relief minutes.
We shall see!
mike t.
On the 3rd game of a back-to-back-to-back the Lakers put a hurting on the Jazz by building a 25 point lead after 3 quarters. Pau Gasol got back on track with a solid game both in scoring and rebounding, finishing with 22 and 9.
Troy Murphy fouled out of the game with 5:23 left in the game. He didn't score a point, but had 11 rebounds and 4 assists. He, also, had a +11 point differential, which is good. For the casual basketball fan, what that means is that while he was on the court, the Lakers were winning by 11 points. That's not bad for not scoring a point.
Metta World Peace had 12 points and 5 rebounds as he seems to picking up his performance as one of the main bench players.
Of course, Kobe Bryant led the way with 26 points. For the 3 games, so far Bryant has scored 83 points, which is a 26.6 average. Kobe might have to lead the league in scoring this season for the Lakers to be competitive.
By the way, no one in the Jazz starting line-up scored more than 8 points. Can you believe that? Millsap scored 18 and Josh Howard scored 10 for the Jazz off the bench. Since Al Jefferson has come to the Jazz his scoring production has come way down.
As for the Lakers and their fans, we await Bynum to see how the Lakers really play and how Murphy and McRoberts will be used off the bench. Who'll get most time off the bench when Bynum comes back? Murphy or McRoberts? I'd go with Murphy.
________
Around the league:
Kevin Love seems to be continuing his rebounding ways by grabbing 20 rebounds. He had 12 in his first game of the season. That's 32 boards in 2 games. That's 16 boards per game. Huge! Too bad the 'Wolves lost both of their games as the 'Wolves fell to the Bucks tonight. The point? Don't be fooled by stats when your team is losing.
The Celtics fell to 0-2 by losing to the Heat 115-107. The Celtics are playing without Paul Pierce so we can't get a real feel for what they're all about this season, yet. But, right now, Jermaine O'Neil is not producing for them at the 5 spot. And a team without a defensive center will not win a championship.
The Heat are 2-0, but they don't have a defensive center, either. Keep your eye on that team. Mark my words: come playoff time, no defensive center, no ring for that team.
After beating the Lakers in their opener, the Kings get crushed in Portland 101-79. Gerald Wallace scored 25 for the 'Blazers and LaMarcus Aldridge scored 24. I guess the Kings aren't really that good or the Lakers are really bad. Too early in the season to tell.
Atlanta vs. New Jersey...snoozer! I'm sorry if that's offensive to the players of both teams. They are professional players, but, I don't think either team is going anywhere anytime soon.
________
Games of interest tomorrow:
New York at Golden State:
New York has the big 3: Anthony, Amare, and Chandler. Mark Jackson is said to be having the Warriors play defense. Let's see how this works out. The Warriors seem to have more balance on their roster as opposed to the East Coast's big city's 3 superstar roster model.
Los Angeles Clippers at San Antonio:
Let's see how good the Clippers really are, and how old San Antonio really is.
Oklahoma City at Memphis:
Let's see how good little brother Gasol really is. This should be a good game. Perkins vs. Gasol in the middle. Randolph vs. Ibaka at the 4 spot. And Durant vs. Gay at the 3 spot.
I give the edge to the Thunder because they have Mohammad to relieve Perkins. Mohammad always gives good relief minutes.
We shall see!
mike t.
Monday, December 26, 2011
Lakers vs. Kings
It's difficult what to make of the Lakers at this point without Andrew Bynum in the line-up. Here we are in the 2nd of a back-to-back-to-back and it doesn't look good. Now, the Lakers have to play Utah, tomorrow.
I guess, a lot of people will look at these two opening games and think that the Lakers need some serious help. And maybe that's true, but, once again, we can't really say until Bynum returns to the line-up.
For this game against the Kings, Metta World Peace had a real good game with 19 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists. Troy Murphy had 8 and 8. But, from what I saw, this reminds me of the old Chris Mihm days, when Mihm would get good stats, but he couldn't protect the rim at all, which would allow teams to outscore the Lakers. In those days, the Lakers would win 2 and lose 2. It was terrible. But, I'm not trying to say that Peace and Murphy should be protecting the rim. That's isn't their role. That role belongs to Bynum.
One thing that I noticed about this game was that when the game was in question, Pau Gasol was nowhere to be found. I said to myself: is this guy done? In the absence of Bynum, Gasol isn't doing his part to make-up for production Bynum would usually provide.
Other than that, there doesn't seem to be anything too exciting about the Lakers. No matter what, it's obvious that the Lakers need a new point guard.
Looking around the league, I don't see any team in the league that doesn't have holes in their roster. All that to say what? This could be an open season, where anyone can win it all.
mike t.
I guess, a lot of people will look at these two opening games and think that the Lakers need some serious help. And maybe that's true, but, once again, we can't really say until Bynum returns to the line-up.
For this game against the Kings, Metta World Peace had a real good game with 19 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists. Troy Murphy had 8 and 8. But, from what I saw, this reminds me of the old Chris Mihm days, when Mihm would get good stats, but he couldn't protect the rim at all, which would allow teams to outscore the Lakers. In those days, the Lakers would win 2 and lose 2. It was terrible. But, I'm not trying to say that Peace and Murphy should be protecting the rim. That's isn't their role. That role belongs to Bynum.
One thing that I noticed about this game was that when the game was in question, Pau Gasol was nowhere to be found. I said to myself: is this guy done? In the absence of Bynum, Gasol isn't doing his part to make-up for production Bynum would usually provide.
Other than that, there doesn't seem to be anything too exciting about the Lakers. No matter what, it's obvious that the Lakers need a new point guard.
Looking around the league, I don't see any team in the league that doesn't have holes in their roster. All that to say what? This could be an open season, where anyone can win it all.
mike t.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
The New Lakers!
The new CBA has pushed the NBA into new territory. I've mentioned it before; how that big-market teams vs. small-market teams is the same as a 3 superstar roster model vs. a well-balanced roster model.
The Lakers, from what I saw in their opening game of the season, have both. The Lakers have 3 superstars in Bryant, Gasol, and Bynum. But, what they have coming off of the bench, in my opinion, is quality. The addition of McRoberts and Murphy has really stabilized the bench for the Lakers.
Both McRoberts and Murphy contributed 8 rebound in tonight's game and anyway you look at it, that is huge! McRoberts plays with energy, and Murphy plays with experience.
When Bynum comes back and McRoberts goes back to the bench, the Lakers are going to have a well-balanced roster. With Ebanks and Goudelock in the mix; this might be Kobe Bryant's chance to show the Michael Jordan aspect of his game. In other words: he has decent players around him, and now might be the time for Kobe to take over in the late stages of the game to pull it out for the Lakers. In other words: Kobe should build on his legacy as the greatest Laker of all-time.
____________
Coach Brown, in my opinion, needs to work on who finishes the game. Fisher shouldn't be out there to close the game. Why would coach Brown put Fisher on Rose at the end of the game when he had Barns' height to cover Rose? The guy, coach Brown, says he's a defensive minded coach, but how does he go with Fisher to cover the best point guard in the league to close a game? Fisher is 37 years old and is seriously slow. Where is the logic in this move?
This game was the Lakers all the way, but Gasol and McRoberts gave it away with missed free throws. And coach Brown contributed to the loss by putting Fisher on Rose to end the game. Small things like that, Fisher on Rose, don't make sense. Small things to observe for sure but a huge window into the observation of coach Brown's ego.
Other than that, the Lakers look like they have a nice mixture of 3 stars and quality down the bench. Kobe needs to identify what he has to work with, and to make it work towards a championship.
These are my opening thoughts to the season in which the Lakers aren't looking too bad, in my opinion.
mike t.
The Lakers, from what I saw in their opening game of the season, have both. The Lakers have 3 superstars in Bryant, Gasol, and Bynum. But, what they have coming off of the bench, in my opinion, is quality. The addition of McRoberts and Murphy has really stabilized the bench for the Lakers.
Both McRoberts and Murphy contributed 8 rebound in tonight's game and anyway you look at it, that is huge! McRoberts plays with energy, and Murphy plays with experience.
When Bynum comes back and McRoberts goes back to the bench, the Lakers are going to have a well-balanced roster. With Ebanks and Goudelock in the mix; this might be Kobe Bryant's chance to show the Michael Jordan aspect of his game. In other words: he has decent players around him, and now might be the time for Kobe to take over in the late stages of the game to pull it out for the Lakers. In other words: Kobe should build on his legacy as the greatest Laker of all-time.
____________
Coach Brown, in my opinion, needs to work on who finishes the game. Fisher shouldn't be out there to close the game. Why would coach Brown put Fisher on Rose at the end of the game when he had Barns' height to cover Rose? The guy, coach Brown, says he's a defensive minded coach, but how does he go with Fisher to cover the best point guard in the league to close a game? Fisher is 37 years old and is seriously slow. Where is the logic in this move?
This game was the Lakers all the way, but Gasol and McRoberts gave it away with missed free throws. And coach Brown contributed to the loss by putting Fisher on Rose to end the game. Small things like that, Fisher on Rose, don't make sense. Small things to observe for sure but a huge window into the observation of coach Brown's ego.
Other than that, the Lakers look like they have a nice mixture of 3 stars and quality down the bench. Kobe needs to identify what he has to work with, and to make it work towards a championship.
These are my opening thoughts to the season in which the Lakers aren't looking too bad, in my opinion.
mike t.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Time for the Lakers to Make the Deal for Howard
It's time for the Lakers to make the deal for Dwight Howard. It's time to send Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum to the Magic for Howard and Turkoglu.
Then the Lakers will have to pick-up a new point guard. That won't be so hard to do with Gilbert Arenas still on the market.
This current roster of the Lakers just isn't going to cut it. But with the trade for Howard the Lakers would stand a chance. The new Lakers starting line-up would look something like this:
PG: Arenas
SG: Bryant
SF: Barns or World Peace
PF: Murphy
C: Howard
Bench:
PG: Fisher
SG: Kapono
SF: World Peace or Barns
PF: Turkoglu
C: McRoberts
The Lakers would then have to pick-up another big man somewhere along the line to solidify the bench as the playoffs come around.
I believe that Murphy and McRoberts can do well in coach Brown's offensive and defensive game plan. These player are capable of being solid contributors if Bryant and Howard control most of the game with their talents.
Right now, Gasol's and Bynum's talents don't compliment Murphy and McRoberts game well enough to make the Lakers a serious contender for the championship. Bring in Howard, and Murphy and McRoberts would shine in their roles. Plus, the Lakers will have two three-point shooters in Kapono and Turkoglu.
A bit expensive, I know, but with Kobe Bryant advancing in age, there really isn't any time to waste thinking about it. Make the deal for Howard by shipping Gasol and Bynum out.
mike t.
Then the Lakers will have to pick-up a new point guard. That won't be so hard to do with Gilbert Arenas still on the market.
This current roster of the Lakers just isn't going to cut it. But with the trade for Howard the Lakers would stand a chance. The new Lakers starting line-up would look something like this:
PG: Arenas
SG: Bryant
SF: Barns or World Peace
PF: Murphy
C: Howard
Bench:
PG: Fisher
SG: Kapono
SF: World Peace or Barns
PF: Turkoglu
C: McRoberts
The Lakers would then have to pick-up another big man somewhere along the line to solidify the bench as the playoffs come around.
I believe that Murphy and McRoberts can do well in coach Brown's offensive and defensive game plan. These player are capable of being solid contributors if Bryant and Howard control most of the game with their talents.
Right now, Gasol's and Bynum's talents don't compliment Murphy and McRoberts game well enough to make the Lakers a serious contender for the championship. Bring in Howard, and Murphy and McRoberts would shine in their roles. Plus, the Lakers will have two three-point shooters in Kapono and Turkoglu.
A bit expensive, I know, but with Kobe Bryant advancing in age, there really isn't any time to waste thinking about it. Make the deal for Howard by shipping Gasol and Bynum out.
mike t.
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