Shaq to make Suns debut vs. Lakers tonight!

[Code Blue]

Originally Posted by JoeTruth

A recap and thoughts of last nights game...

First and foremost, although it lacked defense, that was one of the better games I've seen this year. Very fast paced and entertaining to watch. Good to see the Lakers being able to keep-up the pace with Nash & Stoudemire. Not sure what others thought but I'm a little concerned about Shaq now. I mean, he's not even in shape and he impacted the game in the middle. He still looks like a man playing among boys. He's just such a physical specimen who demands attention and double teams. Thank goodness he still sucks balls at the FT line. That's always been the kink in his armor. Somethings will never change. Stoudemire (37 & 15) is so fast and strong to the basket. Between him and Nash's quickness and ability to slash to the basket or dish it off and a motivated and healthy Shaq, this could get very interesting in the west. Lakers better not rest on their heels to quickly.

The Lakers looked impressive. Obviously, Kobe was up for the game and made the big shots, passes, blocks, steals and rebounds when he needed to. He's looking more and more like MJ, IMO. Obviously, Gasol is not a banger so he's not going to be your stereotypical big man and post-up up Shaq. He's your typical European center who relies more on finesse and outside jump shots then post-up moves. So long as he's delivering 20+ points a night and 8-10 (although he only had 3 last night) boards, who cares. For this reason, they need Bynum back.


What impressed me the most is how involved the whole team was. The Lakers bench is arguably one of the deepest and the best in the NBA and they all have been delivering.

Could not have said it better myself.

I would just like to add to that chowda hater FYM

Pay'up sucker!

[northshore]

Originally Posted by JoeTruth

A recap and thoughts of last nights game...

First and foremost, although it lacked defense, that was one of the better games I've seen this year. Very fast paced and entertaining to watch. Good to see the Lakers being able to keep-up the pace with Nash & Stoudemire. Not sure what others thought but I'm a little concerned about Shaq now. I mean, he's not even in shape and he impacted the game in the middle. He still looks like a man playing among boys. He's just such a physical specimen who demands attention and double teams. Thank goodness he still sucks balls at the FT line. That's always been the kink in his armor. Somethings will never change. Stoudemire (37 & 15) is so fast and strong to the basket. Between him and Nash's quickness and ability to slash to the basket or dish it off and a motivated and healthy Shaq, this could get very interesting in the west. Lakers better not rest on their heels to quickly.

The Lakers looked impressive. Obviously, Kobe was up for the game and made the big shots, passes, blocks, steals and rebounds when he needed to. He's looking more and more like MJ, IMO. Obviously, Gasol is not a banger so he's not going to be your stereotypical big man and post-up up Shaq. He's your typical European center who relies more on finesse and outside jump shots then post-up moves. So long as he's delivering 20+ points a night and 8-10 (although he only had 3 last night) boards, who cares. For this reason, they need Bynum back.


What impressed me the most is how involved the whole team was. The Lakers bench is arguably one of the deepest and the best in the NBA and they all have been delivering.

+1 and would like to add more
-Although it was an exciting game it's certainly not the game to decide the powers of the west. I would like to see this game again when everyone is healthy and Shaq is comfortable with the Suns Tempo then I would decide then

-Although Gasol did look a bit out of his element and perhaps nervous about being bumped around, what I do admire is he adapts to a new team much faster than Shaq did

-Watching Raja Bell crashing into Shaq's elbow was bitter revenge for me after Raja called out Kobe so many times during past interviews and his on court harrassements

-Does Mike D’Antoni ever shut his mouth on ANY call?!?!? I'm waiting for a vein to pop out of his head

[dubjay]

Originally Posted by northshore

-Does Mike D’Antoni ever shut his mouth on ANY call?!?!? I'm waiting for a vein to pop out of his head

Speaking of calls - I thought the Lakers got a lot of phantom fouls called on them.

Lakers shot 0 free throws in the 3rd vs. the Suns who shot 9.

With all the Lakers points in the paint, you'd think they'd get to the line a little more often. But then again, the Suns lack of defense..who knows...

[G-Ride]

Originally Posted by northshore

Watching Raja Bell crashing into Shaq's elbow was bitter revenge for me after Raja called out Kobe so many times during past interviews and his on court harrassements

Totally with you on this one. Raja is a punk. I wanted to poke that goose egg on his head with my finger. Awesome 4th quarter.

[jeffj]

Originally Posted by JoeTruth

A recap and thoughts of last nights game...

First and foremost, although it lacked defense, that was one of the better games I've seen this year. Very fast paced and entertaining to watch. Good to see the Lakers being able to keep-up the pace with Nash & Stoudemire. Not sure what others thought but I'm a little concerned about Shaq now. I mean, he's not even in shape and he impacted the game in the middle. He still looks like a man playing among boys. He's just such a physical specimen who demands attention and double teams. Thank goodness he still sucks balls at the FT line. That's always been the kink in his armor. Somethings will never change. Stoudemire (37 & 15) is so fast and strong to the basket. Between him and Nash's quickness and ability to slash to the basket or dish it off and a motivated and healthy Shaq, this could get very interesting in the west. Lakers better not rest on their heels to quickly.

The Lakers looked impressive. Obviously, Kobe was up for the game and made the big shots, passes, blocks, steals and rebounds when he needed to. He's looking more and more like MJ, IMO. Obviously, Gasol is not a banger so he's not going to be your stereotypical big man and post-up up Shaq. He's your typical European center who relies more on finesse and outside jump shots then post-up moves. So long as he's delivering 20+ points a night and 8-10 (although he only had 3 last night) boards, who cares. For this reason, they need Bynum back.


What impressed me the most is how involved the whole team was. The Lakers bench is arguably one of the deepest and the best in the NBA and they all have been delivering.

It was an excellent game. One of the best I've seen this year. If these two teams meet in the post season, they'd better bring their hard hats and lunchpails because it's gonna be a long day at the office.

However, I'd have to take exception with a couple things.

1) Although there 254 points scored between the two teams in regulation time, I thought both teams were hustling and exerting lots of energy on defense. Lot's of double/triple team help, rotating, switching, etc. The problem is that both teams are so good at moving the ball, P&R, slashing to the bucket, shooting, scoring, low turnover rate, etc. it could appear that defense was lacking. However I saw several stellar defensive plays and some great blocked shots, even on Kobe. There were 15 blocked shots between the two teams. As an example, that's almost twice the number of blocked shots that occurred last night in the Pistons/Bucks game ( 8 ).

2) Gasol scored the majority of his shots in the paint with several dunks and some sky-hooks from close range. He's not a typical low-post center (he's not even a true center IMHO), but he moves superbly without the ball and attacks the basket with a vengence. He also takes some pressure off of Odom which is just what he needs to be effective.

3) The Laker bench averages 37 points a game, but last night was a subpar performance from them as they only managed 23 last night in a game where the Lakers scored 130. Sasha V. scored 15 of those and the Laker bench was otherwise very ordinary last night. Walton clanked a few open 3P tries too. But, this was a night for the stars to shine and they did.

I am so glad the Lakers finally got rid of so many of the stiffs they carried for years, especially the long list of inefficient big men the past ten years:

"Slava" Medvedenko
Samaki Walker
Brian Cook
Mark Madsen
Elden Campbell
Cory Blount
Sean Rooks
Travis Knight
Soumaila Samake

and of course the infamous Kwame Brown

The flurry of trade activity in the Western Conference since the Lakers acquired Gasol is nothing short of amazing. I don't recall anything like it in past seasons. Every team with a shot has made or is looking to make a significant trade before the trade deadline passes today. The post season in the NBA is shaping up nicely

[northshore]

Originally Posted by jeffj

It was an excellent game. One of the best I've seen this year. If these two teams meet in the post season, they'd better bring their hard hats and lunchpails because it's gonna be a long day at the office.

However, I'd have to take exception with a couple things.

1) Although there 254 points scored between the two teams in regulation time, I thought both teams were hustling and exerting lots of energy on defense. Lot's of double/triple team help, rotating, switching, etc. The problem is that both teams are so good at moving the ball, P&R, slashing to the bucket, shooting, scoring, low turnover rate, etc. it could appear that defense was lacking. However I saw several stellar defensive plays and some great blocked shots, even on Kobe. There were 15 blocked shots between the two teams. As an example, that's almost twice the number of blocked shots that occurred last night in the Pistons/Bucks game ( 8 ).

2) Gasol scored the majority of his shots in the paint with several dunks and some sky-hooks from close range. He's not a typical low-post center (he's not even a true center IMHO), but he moves superbly without the ball and attacks the basket with a vengence. He also takes some pressure off of Odom which is just what he needs to be effective.

3) The Laker bench averages 37 points a game, but last night was a subpar performance from them as they only managed 23 last night in a game where the Lakers scored 130. Sasha V. scored 15 of those and the Laker bench was otherwise very ordinary last night. Walton clanked a few open 3P tries too. But, this was a night for the stars to shine and they did.

I am so glad the Lakers finally got rid of so many of the stiffs they carried for years, especially the long list of inefficient big men the past ten years:

"Slava" Medvedenko
Samaki Walker
Brian Cook
Mark Madsen
Elden Campbell
Cory Blount
Sean Rooks
Travis Knight
Soumaila Samake

and of course the infamous Kwame Brown

The flurry of trade activity in the Western Conference since the Lakers acquired Gasol is nothing short of amazing. I don't recall anything like it in past seasons. Every team with a shot has made or is looking to make a significant trade before the trade deadline passes today. The post season in the NBA is shaping up nicely

How many of those were scouted by Jerry West?

[G-Ride]

Originally Posted by jeffj

I am so glad the Lakers finally got rid of so many of the stiffs they carried for years, especially the long list of inefficient big men the past ten years:

"Slava" Medvedenko
Samaki Walker
Brian Cook
Mark Madsen
Elden Campbell
Cory Blount
Sean Rooks
Travis Knight
Soumaila Samake

Don't forget about Vlade. Although he's probably outside your 10-year window, I'm still celebrating the fact that he is no longer a Laker.

[jeffj]

Originally Posted by G-Ride

Don't forget about Vlade. Although he's probably outside your 10-year window, I'm still celebrating the fact that he is no longer a Laker.

Specifically the 2nd generation Vlade
---------------------------
northshore: "How many of those were scouted by Jerry West? "
---------------------------
or B. Kupchak