The Lakers Nation

Usually when you out-rebound a team 25-8 on the offensive boards you win the game, you know that, I know that, Boozer knows that. That’s probably why, as Jonathan Abrams wrote so expertly in his article for the LA Times, he still sounded confused when giving his interview after practice on Monday.

On Bryant’s free throws and stopping him from getting to the line, Boozer said at Monday’s practice…

“I think we have to send more people at him. Try to make some other people score as opposed to having Kobe shoot the ball. We know he’s a great player. We all know that. But him shooting 23 free throws hurts us.”

OK. And later, on defending Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom…

“We do a good job of defending [them] one on one. But the problem with Lamar and Pau isn’t guarding them one on one, it’s helping out with Kobe, that’s when they get all their stuff because he draws so much attention.”

So, the Jazz can either send the house at Bryant and try to stop him and free up space for others. Or let Bryant go to work — from the floor or the free-throw line”

Oh, in other news, Coby Karl was NOT named MVP, just in case anyone was confused.

Continue reading ‘TLN’s Playoff Preview: Lakers vs. Jazz [Game 2]‘

The Denver Nuggets: They have as much potential as Lamar Odom.

… theres a joke in there somewhere.

Marquee Matchups -

Point Guard - Derek Fisher and Jordan Farmar vs. Allen Iverson: Technically, Carter is their Point Guard, but as most of the league has found out at various points in time, Allen Iverson with the ball in his hands is not exactly a bad option… 40% of the time. Actually to be fair to Iverson his FG% has increased to 45% since being traded to Denver.

Advantage: Nuggets.

Continue reading ‘TLN’s Playoff Preview: Lakers vs. Nuggets [Game 1]‘

It all comes down to this. One game for pride, one game to show the world that the Lakers are very much alive and very much in the mood for butt-kicking. I don’t see the Hornets losing another game in the regular season after this (Kings, Clippers, and Dallas… Okay, maybe Dallas) but if they do, the Lakers have to win this game to even out the season series.

Dear Lakers,

I don’t have any cute anecdotes to pump you up or tales of manliness to spur you on, but I believe in you. We, the Lakers Nation, stand behind you now and declare that this is our year, this is our time, and this is our game!

Continue reading ‘TLN’s Game Preview: Lakers vs. Hornets’

35.5%… 27%.

What are these two numbers?

Kobe’s share of the shots taken by the entire team in each of the last two games.

it’s not that huge of a discrepancy, yet people are lauding Kobe for his unselfish play against the Wizards and comparing it against the effort against the grizzles.

You can say he only had one assists against the Grizzlies as opposed to 13 against the Wizards, but surely you have to attribute part of that to the other Lakers shooting 22-67 against the Grizzlies, as opposed to a more robust 36-63 against the Wizards… thats the difference of 14 more makes in 4 less attempts, you’d think Kobe would get at least some of those assists right?

Continue reading ‘TLN’s Game Preview: Lakers vs. Blazers’