The Lakers With(out) Bynum
Posted on February 27, 2009
Over at TrueHoop, Henry Abbott quotes Nuggets Coach George Karl, who suggests that the Lakers have been even better without Bynum than they were with him. As Abbott points out, it is “a question to be pondered, and one many worried about before the season: Do Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol stifle each other?”
While Gasol has joined Kobe Bryant and Lamar Odom in upping his production since Bynum’s absence, I think the difference has little to do with The Spaniard. So what has been the difference? Lakers fans would be quick to point to Kobe, who has a well established history of stepping up his game to carry his team when they suffer from injuries.
But if you thought that Kobe Bryant has been the biggest difference for this team in Bynum’s absence, you’d be wrong. Continue reading
Filed Under Andrew Bynum, Boston Celtics, Kobe Bryant, Lakers, Lamar Odom, Pau Gasol | 7 Comments
Best Versus Boston?
Posted on February 10, 2009
In the aftermath of the Lakers’s second regular season victory over the Celtics, Kobe Bryant’s poor shooting night in Boston led Henry Abbott of TrueHoop to question the efficacy of Bryant’s style of play against the Celtics. Comparing him to LeBron James and glancing at shot charts, Abbott concluded that James’ ability to get to the hoop enables him to be more successful against Boston’s impressive defense.
His theory makes a lot of sense. In the NBA, getting into the paint is considered a Good Thing™, and no one does this better than LeBron James. But does it hold true in practice? Does LeBron’s ability to get closer to the basket more frequently make him more efficient and effective against the Celtics?
By expanding the sample size to a minimum of eight games and digging into each player’s performances against Boston since last May, I’ve answered the question — and the result may surprise you! Continue reading
Filed Under 3-Point Shooting, Boston Celtics, Defense, Free Throw Shooting, Kobe Bryant, Lakers, LeBron James, Mid-Range Jumpshot, Playoffs, Statistics, poor shooting, turnovers, weaknesses | 10 Comments
Kobe Bryant: Whatever It Takes
Posted on June 5, 2008
Let’s get the obvious out of the way: Kobe Bryant has completely dominated these Playoffs.
More significantly, however, is how he has done so — in nearly every way imaginable. He has dominated the best teams in the NBA as a scorer. He has picked teams apart with his passing. He has played the role of decoy. He has taken over late in games. He has created for his teammates.
Simply put, he has done whatever was needed from him at any given moment. Continue reading
Filed Under Boston Celtics, Kobe Bryant, Lakers, LeBron James, MVP, Michael Jordan, Nuggets, Playoffs, San Antonio Spurs, assists, big games, clutch, leadership | 2 Comments
MVN Lakers: A Man’s Game
Posted on May 29, 2008
I’ve posted a new Lakers article on MVN.com. Here’s a quick excerpt:
Early in Game 4 of the Western Conference Semi-Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Utah Jazz, Ronny Turiaf knocked Ronnie Price to the ground while colliding with him en route to a hard block. Turiaf was assessed a Flagrant II foul, and what had been nothing more than a “hard playoffs foul” resulted in an ejection.
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the sissy playoffs.
Thankfully, that ended after the second round. These are the Conference Finals, and thanks to the Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs, this is a man’s game again.
Click the link below, or head on over to MVN Lakers, where I am a contributor, for the rest of my article on why I’m enjoying this Lakers-Spurs series so much.
Also, if you have any thoughts on the Derek Fisher non-call, feel free to share them in the comments!
Filed Under Kobe Bryant, Lakers, MVN Lakers, Playoffs, complaining, officiating, referees | 4 Comments
MVN Lakers: They Don’t Have Kobe
Posted on May 25, 2008
I’ve posted a new Lakers article on MVN.com. Here’s a quick excerpt:
This is not the bold statement it would have been back in either the first or second round. By now, it should be clear.
The Lakers will win the championship this year.
You want a bold statement? I’ll take it one step further: It doesn’t matter who they face in the Finals.
The Real NBA Finals
In Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, the Lakers found themselves trailing the Spurs by 20 points, with a score of 45-65, with 5:39 remaining in the third quarter. The Spurs, the defending champions, looked completely unaffected by travel complications, lack of rest, and old age. Home court advantage, it seemed, was about to be stolen away from Los Angeles.
Only one problem: the Lakers had Kobe Bryant.
Click the link below, or head on over to MVN Lakers, for the rest of my article on why Kobe Bryant and the Lakers will win the championship this year.