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! 

Continue reading "Lakers Notes on Preseason game against Toronto"

This is an awesome little video of Kobe trash talking Sasha. Looks like both are feeling a lot better. Which is good news. 

http://www.pe.com/video/index.html?nvid=295673&shu=1

"snicker commercial" 

"Not mentally strong enough to make the shot." 

It's all priceless. check it out. 

Continue reading "Kobe kicking it with Machine"

Step right up! Step right up ladies and gentlemen. 

Tonight, here at Staples Center in the best city in the world, Los Angeles, for your own viewing pleasure and wonderment, we bring before you a spectacle of all spectacles. Two giants, two young warriors, one a man-child beast the other a beast-child man, both ready to step up and claim the mantle of bigman of the next decade.

In the right corner, standing 7 feet 1 inches tall, weighing in at a lean, yet finally maturing and toned 285…playing center for the Los Angeles Lakers, #21…Andrew Bynum!

Recently recovered from knee surgery, the 21-year-old with the baby face uses his soft touch around the basket, and his Mr. Fantastic-like abilities to reach up into the sky and seemingly grab and flush down every single pass, no matter how wild or how off target, while also using a limited, but effective array of hooks, bank shots and dunks to completely dominate the middle on offense. With his 7-3 wingspan, he is able to alter plenty of shots and send many of them back like letters with wrong addresses. 

Continue reading "Man-Beast Vs Man-Beast: Oden vs. Bynum (Round 1)"

I just can't figure out how NBA reffing goes. Kobe got a million calls in the Jazz series with similar physical play, but then, when facing Boston, he gets none. I remember a million calls for a one Dwayne Wade against the Dallas Mavericks as well. All fans want is consistency. I realize that reffing is a tough gig. Impossibly tough. But it isn't tough to stay consistent. 

Check Kobe getting mugged by the 2008 champs.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQaVvf2VOsc

NOT saying that Boston didn't deserve it. NOT saying that this video is unbiased, although, he seems like he's trying to be. Just watch and gather from the video footage whatever you want. 

Lakers and Blazers tonight at 7 p.m. PACIFIC TIME. 

Continue reading "Huh..."