After watching almost 25 games now, I think that Denver's the biggest threat to the Lakers. We've shown that we're susceptible to giving up offensive rebounds to teams that have active big men that crash the boards, but none of the other teams that are considered to be contenders really fit that description. But Denver does. That's our biggest weakness. However, the other teams that have exploited this (Chicago, Houston, Utah come to mind) either don't have the necessary firepower to win a 7 game series, or are awful defensively. Denver doesn't fit that description either. For whatever it's worth, they're the team that I'm concerned with the most right now.
-Bynum just makes me shake my head. Dumb, young kid that doesn't get it. If he gave half of the effort on defense and on the boards that he gives when he's establishing post position, running the court, or executing post moves...he'd be incredible. That's really what we need from him. He's putting up hollow numbers right now.
-Gasol is giving great effort on the boards, grabbing 20, 20, and 16 in the last 3 games. He's also playing solid defense, challenging a lot of shots. We need to get him more touches in the post, IMO. He's a great passer, and he has great chemistry with Kobe & Odom.
-I've developed a new appreciation for Fisher. Both Phil & Kobe love him, and it's always completely baffled me. Then, I've started to notice how well he runs the triangle. It's a timing offense, and he helps keep it moving. I'm not thrilled with him or anything, but I "get it" more now than I used to.
-Kobe's really reached Neo mode. He just understands the sport on a completely different level than anyone else does. I thought he got caught up too much in one-on-one tonight though. But he kept us in it when we were down early. Incredible first quarter. I also thought that this was a good example of the differences between the defenses that Kobe & Jordan face/faced. Hinrich was on him for most of the night, and he's a helluva defender. But it didn't matter, because he's 6'3". Kobe just raised up on him and knocked 'em down. Jordan didn't have to face the 6'6"-6'7" guys like Battier, Bowen, Sefolosha, Artest, etc. on a regular basis. He just raised up on everyone.
-We need to go away from Artest in the post. He's a mess down there. Just looks to draw contact and gets swatted on a regular basis due to his lack of athleticism. I still love his game and he provides incredible defense with offensive assets that we really need...but we don't need him down there.
-Farmar's playing much better ball than last year, especially defensively. He actually understands what's going on at that end of the court now. Makes considerably fewer mistakes.
-Good game from Shannon Brown tonight, but I would like to see him with the starters more often. He dribbles too much, and with the starters he doesn't get the chance to. He's just a shooter and crazy ass dunker on the fast break in those situations, along with some very good d.
-Nice to see Lamar Kardashian wake up tonight. He & Gasol finally started to click. Meh...typcial Lamar.
-Phil's rotations are much better this year. He's keeping a couple of starters out there at the beginning of the 2nd & 4th quarters, and that's no longer our Achilles Heel.
