Lakers Notes on Preseason game against Toronto

I'm back. lol. Got a new blogsite that will be up and running by the start of the season. This site will still get Lakers updates, but it will be strictly Lakers. For all things Westcoast in the NBA, check out www.westcoastlsant.blogspot.com next week. And check the links too. Okay, on to the meat. 

Lakers looked great last night for several stretches. Here are some notes on the game.

-    Despite making only one shot, Vladimir Radmanovic is looking active. This here blogger mentioned last year that Vlad Rad looked like he was learning from the Trevor Ariza school of basketball hustle: diving and cutting and looking for offensive rebounds or tip-ins. Last season? He might have graded out as a C-. This year, he’s shooting for an A and is currently sitting at a B. It’s been a pleasant surprise so far, and if he continues to progress and continues to keep his head in the game even if he doesn't get shots, than he’ll be a valuable commodity as a starter. Speaking of taking his shots, Joel Meyers is an idiot. As the third quarter was winding down, Odom got off the bench to come in and Vlad Rad took what Meyers said was an ill-advised 3-pointer (the one that Pau rebounded and put back in). Here’s why that play wasn’t a bad play. It ended with a Lakers score. Here’s why that shot wasn’t a bad shot. Andrew Bynum had Andrea freaking Bargnani on him and Pau (who had initiated the break in the first place) was hustling back down the court with Jermaine O’Neal trailing him. That’s the two biggest players on the Lakers underneath or moving towards the rim with JO behind and Bargnani “on” Bynum. I’d take those match-ups every which way including loose. Which means Vlad Rad, who, I think is supposed to be known for his 3-point prowess (right Joel?) should take that shot every single time in that situation. You’ve got your two best rebounders on isos against weaker rebounders and a wide open look at your bread and butter shot. Vlad’s gotta take that shot. Period. Exclamation! 

-    Ariza looks even more beastly than last year. Did you see how he split the double. His handle looks better and he was drilling open shots. He really could be Scottie Pippen reincarnated—but with more athleticism (how about that oop off the backboard from Jordan Farmar!)

-    Speaking of J-Far, kid looks completely in control. Sure, he was matched up against Roko Ukic (who played decently when comfortable, but was more lost than found out there) and Jose Calderon. One's a green rook learning American ball, the other a not-so-good defender. But Farmar just had this air of determination and dominance about him. Here’s confidence that we won’t be seeing any more disappearing acts from little Big Ears.

-    Kobe’s going to average over three steals and could challenge for his first defensive player of the year award. Okay, okay, the DPofY might be a bit of stretch (not too big mind you), but the 3 steals are for serious (10 in two contests). Anthony Parker did light it up (missed only one shot), but Kobe has the luxury of two huge, long, athletic bigs backing him up. And during the stretches where Ariza is out there with him, forget about it. People are saying Houston’s got the best perimeter duo in Shane Battier and Ron Artest—I’m saying Kobe and Ariza give that tandem a run for their money. Kobe also looked super efficient. Kobe’s going to have more than a few 5X4 nights (at least 5 points, steals, assists and rebounds). He looks like he’s just taking what the defense is giving him, meaning, I honestly believe he’s going to shoot close to 55 percent this season. So, while his overall stats might go down, his efficiency is going to sky-rocket.   

-    Remember how quickly Pau and Kobe got on the same page with each other last year? People forget that Kobe helped get Bynum off to a fast start as well. Check this very blog for a reminder. That chemistry seems to be right back to where it was. The trio of Bynun, Gasol and Bryant is going to be a mean, mean, mean triad. That's a Wildcats reference for all you comic geeks out there. Bynum is pure, raw power (Slag). Pau's Mr. precision (H.A.R.M.) and Kobe's the leader (Attica). Kinda works. 

-    There was a Chris Mihm sighting last night. Dude looks like his “starter” Lakers self, and he’s the 4th big on our team. The Lakers are stacked and we haven’t even seen the Machine go at it. The Purple and Gold can withstand injuries to everybody—Kobe included (mind you, not for months and months, but for a couple of weeks, they’d be fine).  

-    Josh Powell, my mans from the Clips, will more than fill in Ronny Turiaf’s shoes. Not as a dancer (haven’t seen that yet) nor as an intimidating shot-blocker, but he’s a great rebounder (something Ronny was kind of weak at), knows exactly how to utilize his 240 lbs, and can hit that 15-17 foot jumper.

-    Lastly, the Lakers second unit, with Farmar, Ariza, and Odom is fast and athletic. If the team consistently gets 20 plus minutes of that swarming, full court pressure defense from their reserve team, the Lakers defense won’t be improved, it will be deadly.