|
HOW SWEEP IT IS!
5.28.01
Memo Menos
Revenge is sweep. Parting is such sweep sorrow. Which team is a superstar or two short of a legitimate starting 5? What twin towers are more like twin lakes? SPURS, you are the weakest link. Goodbye. (Did you catch the snow queen ANN ROBINSON yucking it up courtside?)
Enough nonsense, the LAKERS have swept their way back into the NBA Finals. They now find themselves just 4 victories away from history. It now is within sight. Neither PHILADELPHIA nor MILWAUKEE poses a legitimate threat to keep LA from being the first team to run the table in the playoffs. I don’t care that MILWAUKEE beat the LAKERS in their 2 meetings during the regular season. The BUCKS have their hands full just getting to the Finals. The way things are going, they will be in a game 7 with the 76"s, and the LAKERS won’t have to play until August.
When you think about it, things might be better if the LAKERS actually lost a game or two to whomever, so that the championship could be had in front of the ecstatic throng at Staples. Things turned out just swell in the SPURS series. Who needs home-court advantage when you’re in a sweeping mood. Sweeping is always better done in front of your own fans. Can you imagine SHAQUILLE O’NEAL doing his no-look, coast to coast, MAGIC/SHOWTIME impression before an eastern audience? They just wouldn’t get it.
CHICK sure got it, on Sunday. He proclaimed this LAKERS squad the best ever: "No LAKER team in history has ever played at this level of perfection!" Wow! It’s hard to argue with such a statement. The 1989 LAKERS won their first 11 games before being swept by the DETRIOT PISTONS who beat up on MAGIC and BYRON SCOTT to the point of eliminating them from the series. No team has done any better. No team has gone 15-0 to win it all. This team can.
With DEREK FISHER rising to the level of superstar, what next. FISHER led all scorers Sunday with 28. He made 6 3-pointers, finishing the series with 15, an NBA record for a 4-game series! FISHER had only 2 turnovers in the Finals. He only has 6 in the entire playoffs. The team is 26-5 since his return in March. How long ago it seems, when DEREK took a weak, ill-advised shot in the closing seconds of the KNICKS game on April 1st. That was the LAKERS last loss, and DEREK was sure the April fool. How far he’s come. He’s vying for MVP.
SHAQ and KOBE may have a bit more to say about that in the next series.
*!
5.26.01
Memo Menos
If there was any doubt about the SAN ANTONIO SPURS NBA Championship in the strike-shortened 1999-2000 season, let it be no more! The SPURS don’t deserve to be considered ex-champions after getting dismantled by the LAKERS by 39 points in a must win. Do or die game 3 Friday night. It was flabbergasting, stunning, unbelievable what LA did to the, once thought of unstoppable, TIM DUNCAN. He finished with 9 points after his career high 40 in Monday’s loss. It was laughable what RICK FOX did to the heralded return of DEREK ANDERSON. FOX blocked his first shot attempt, controlled the ball, and tossed ahead to KOBE for a breakaway slam-dunk. Two minutes gone, and game over man. ANDERSON went 0 for 8, never to be heard from again.
To be fair, it was an unmanageable burden for ANDERSON, returning prematurely from a separated shoulder, to carry the cross for the SPURS. JOHN WAYNE and a hundred battalions couldn’t have rescued this team. The LAKERS are now unstoppable. They have won 11 in a row in the playoffs going back to last year. The SPURS, funny enough, hold the record of 12. Perhaps that will give them some incentive to show up on Sunday. Wipe another record from the books; put another asterisk up in San Antone.
The LAKERS are zeroing in on a bunch of records. No team has ever won 13 in a row in the playoffs. No team has ever swept the playoffs. No team has ever won 15 championships in a row. All right, I’m getting ahead of myself. But really, if this disorganized, out of shape at the start of the season (except for KOBE), feuding, selfish, weak benched, badly coached (this reporter’s opinion-though it’s quickly becoming moot), can sweep through a playoff season, with a 28 year old center and a 22 year who is the "best player on the planer", then what can stop them. As it is they have won 18 in a row. Only 2 other teams have had longer streaks at 19 and 33, both of them LAKERS.
SHAQ did as he promised after the last game in San Antonio. He had a SHAQ game, scoring 35 and snagging 17 rebounds. KOBE lived up to his ordained billing, scoring 36, with 8 assists and 9 rebounds. KOBE and SHAQ combined scored 1 point less than the entire SPUR team. But this was not a 2-man game. The LAKERS as a team played marvelously. This could have been their best game ever. They won by 39 points. There have been bigger margins of victory in the playoffs, 56 over the GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS in 1973 is the record. But this lopsided win was against the best team in the league this season, against a great defensive team, and against a team that absolutely had to win this game. It was remarkable, and it left CHICK HEARN and DOUG COLLINS speechless. MARV ALBERT is never at a loss for words, but does anyone even listen anymore? It has sports reporters now talking sweep, not only of the SPURS, but of whichever patsy rises in the East.
Could it be?
VIRGIN TERRITORY AT 17
5.22.01
Memo Menos
The LAKERS have won 17 games in a row, 9 straight in the playoffs, and it’s never felt this good! PHIL JACKSON’s BULLS never did this, MICHAEL JORDAN never did this, even the world champion 1972 LAKERS, who set the record for most consecutive wins at 33 never did this! This team is forging new ground, breaking fresh territory, plowing through the cherries that pass themselves off as NBA contenders. The SPURS are a ravaged and defeated foe. How sweet it is!
SAN ANTONIO came out strong, with obvious designs on riding TIM DUNCAN to victory. DUNCAN started the game as if he was browbeat for 2 days on his pansy play in the first game. He took the ball directly to the basket each time he touched it, and went through HORACE GRANT for 25 points in the half. Meanwhile, SHAQ was limp and lifeless, clanking shots off the iron and glass. Despite this, and all that the SPURS had to give, the LAKERS took it, and trailed by only 8 points. Do it again only harder, or go home boys.
The second half was the beginning of the end for the SPURS. SHAQ was still a bit out of it, but ROBERT HORRY, DEREK FISHER, RICK FOX and KOBE BRYANT hung in there for LA, keeping the game close even after another burst of excitement from SAN ANTONIO. DUNCAN and ANTONIO DANIELS were perfect from the charity stripe, and that allowed the SPURS to build another lead of 12 points on several occasions in the 3rd. But the LAKERS were keeping them from scoring baskets. They had only 4 field goals in the 3rd quarter and only 3 in the 4th, the last, a meaningless 3-pointer from a deflowered TIM DUNCAN. He had his career high 40 points in a game where the SPURS were raped and left for dead on the hardwood. Poor dear.
It was scary in the end to see how helpless DAVID ROBINSON and TIM DUNCAN were. The twin towers might just as well have been twin sisters. Meanwhile, KOBE BRYANT was masterfully massaging the ball, feeding to SHAQUILLE at the last moment, just as the exhausted center had forced his way deep into the key, for an easy dunk. It depleted the Texas crowd, and even though SHAQ missed the free throw, the LAKERS were up 4 with about a minute to play. After some desperation 3 point attempts, the LAKERS did the final damage, a wide open KOBE at the top of the key, measured his shot like he was sizing another ring, and swished the dagger for a 7 point lead and the game.
Man that’s good. Light me up a smoke. Another contender left heaving and sighing on the floor. Another sweep? Why not! Take it back to Staples. Have no mercy! Put another notch on the headboard. There’s no stopping this train, not even JORDAN and the WARNER BROTHER'S toon brigade.
Hats off to PHIL JACKSON who was masterful in getting his second technical at a turning point in the second half. It inspired his team, and diminished what was looking like an impressive win for SAN ANTONIO. It worked, like a charm, like a mickey.
And hats off to DEREK FISHER who was 4 for 4 from distance, after going 2 for 3 in game 1. Somehow, DEREK has developed into a real NBA shooter, to go along with his aggressive, defensive hustle.
And speaking of hustlers. ROBERT HORRY was the man. He was everywhere, doing a job on DUNCAN in the 2nd half, blocking shots from the weak side, and playing enforcer when necessary.. This is the playoffs, there are no uncontested layins. Knock ‘em on their butts, then beat the life out of them.
Get security ready for the parade, baby.
CHANGING OF THE GUARD?
5.21.01
Memo Menos
Well, it took some remarkable heroics as a 21-year old to save the LAKERS in game 7 of the Conference Finals last year against PORTLAND, as well as some great shooting with SHAQ on the bench in game 6 of the finals against INDIANA, and a 32 + points per game average in this year’s playoffs, including 36, 48 and 45 in his last 3 games, as well as 7+ rebounds and 5+ assists per game in the playoffs, but O’NEAL is finally on board with the KOBE BRYANT thing. No more demands to be traded, no more "keep away from KOBE" crap, not even any more moping and griping. SHAQUILLE thinks KOBE is the best player in the league, and is thrilled to be playing with him. He’s even thinking of naming his next kid after BRYANT. Can you imagine-SHAKOBE O’NEAL? Hmmm.
I suppose when you are the game’s most dominant big man, and you end up 3rd in the MVP voting, and you’re playing with the so-called "best player in the league, the "best on the planet", who finished 9th in the MVP voting, you might feel a bit generous. Particularly when you’re riding a 16-game win streak and find yourselves just 7 wins away from a most unbelievable accomplishment-a sweep of the entire playoffs. And that is in defense of your crown. Wow!
But there it is. The LAKERS, with a win this evening could really start to believe that such a thing is possible. How do you explain just how easily the team dismantled the SAN ANTONIO SPURS on Saturday? The game started out poorly for LA. They trailed 8-2 and it could have easily gone downhill from there. KOBE missed his first 3 shots, and had 2 turnovers in the first few minutes. DAVID ROBINSON and TIM DINCAN both swished outside jumpers. 36,000 rabid San Antonio fans were ready to tear the place down.
But KOBE kept pushing, finishing the quarter with 12 points, and the LAKERS built a lead they never relinquished. How many times has that happened in this year’s playoffs. The LAKERS get up, and stay up. They break open a 10-point lead, and win by 10, or more! It happened Saturday-the LAKERS led by 9 at the half, built it to 80-66 after 3 quarters, and the SPURS were not to be heard from again. The LAKERS won by the same 14- point margin-104-90! They held the SPURS to 90, kept TIM DUNCAN in check with 28 points, and ravaged the SPURS so-called defense for triple digits, 45 from a 22 year old, and 73 from the LAKERS duo.
The playoffs used to be nervous time, sit on the edge of your seat, pull your hair out, non-stop thrills and excitement. Things have changed, for the better, no doubt. No more nervous time, no more lost hair, just methodical, commanding wins. And now, SHAQ O’NEAL plays second fiddle to the best player in the world, KOBE BRYANT.
Change is good, right? What next?
Here’s a clue-the WASHINGTON WIZARDS, led by MICHAEL JORDAN won the first spot in the upcoming NBA Draft Lottery. JORDAN already has a salivating CHARLES BARKLEY on board the comeback bus. CHARLES did his best on TNT last week to get PATRICK EWING a seat on that bus. The very first college prospect drafted June 27, perhaps SHANE BATTIER will also have a seat on that bus. Some BULLS already on board-ELTON BRAND, RON MERCER and RON ARTEST are waiting in the wings. Hall of Famer, and announcer deluxe, DOUG COLLINS will be driving that bus. The way these playoffs are going, that bus trip might be the next time we have to bite our nails.
I never thought I’d say this, but I miss it. Get that bus on the road!
MAY SWEEPS
5.14.01
Memo Menos
It’s season finales in Hollywood this week, and Western Conference Finals for the LAKERS, as they continue their May sweeps, mopping the SACRAMENTO KINGS and CHRIS WEBBER out of the playoffs on their butts. Who thought it could be so easy? That’s now 15 games in a row including 8 from the regular season. That’s 2 straight broom jobs, on clubs that gave LA major headaches last year in the playoffs, and this season during regulation. Until the last day of the regular season, SACRAMENTO was division leader, and it looked like they would run away and hide from the sleepwalking LAKERS.
But SHAQ and KOBE, and DEREK FISHER, and RICK FOX, and HORACE GRANT, and others have woken up, big time. In key game 3’s, one in Portland, and one in Sacramento, the LAKERS jumped on their opponents in the 1st quarter, and never relinquished the big lead. For the whole game! That is unheard of. Even the great LAKER teams of the 80’s used to give fans "nervous time" and take series to 6 or 7 games. This team is just bulldozing through teams that once had the look of contenders. Unbelievable!
SHAQUILLE O’NEAL got the series against the KINGS started with back-to-back 40/20 games. KOBE finished the series off with a 36 and a 48-point performance. KOBE’S 48 points were the most scored by a LAKER in a playoff game, since JERRY WEST had 49 in 1965. Only WEST and ELGIN BAYLOR have scored more as LAKERS in the second season. And you get the sense there is more to come. Much more, from KOBE and from SHAQ.
Next up, SAN ANTONIO, if history holds form. No team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit, and that’s what the DALLAS MAVERICKS would have to accomplish if they are to overcome their 3-1 current status. We shall then see just how important home court advantage is in these playoffs. SAN ANTONIO finished with a better record than the LAKERS, who have never played their best in the ALAMODOME. The sweeps season may soon get interesting.
"ALMOST" SINGLE-HANDED DOMINATION
5.9.01
If not for KOBE BRYANT’S 27 points in game 2 of round 2 of the NBA playoffs against the SACRAMENTO KINGS, there would be no need for "almost" to describe the masterful play of the LOS ANGELES LAKERS center, SHAQUILLE O’NEAL. Who does he think he is? Superman, no, Superman wishes he had the powers of the mortal…that’s debatable, just ask SCOT POLLARD and VLADE DIVAC…number 34 in that Laker uniform. The Big Dominator scored 43 points and grabbed 20 rebounds in that game.
Shaq’s dominating and setting new NBA records for 2 consecutive 40 points, 20 rebounds games in a playoff series. He has had three 40-20 nights in the playoffs, 2 against Sac and 1 against the Pacers in last year’s NBA finals. WILT CHAMBERLAIN, a late great dominating Lakers center, had twelve 40-20 games and ELGIN BAYLOR had 5. The judges haven’t even considered Shaq as MVP candidate for the regular season but, he is, without a doubt, the MVP of the playoffs.
In the last 13 games, 8 in the regular season, 5 in the playoffs, no one has been able to impede the progress of the big man. It seems as if the only thing stopping the Lakers is the Lakers. But, that strategy may not work when the Lakers bench is outscored 32-1 in game 2 and the team is still victorious on the brawn of the dynamic duo’s 72 points. It also seems as if Shaq and Kobe only need to play two strong quarters to defeat the Kings.
After an incredible 14 points, 11 rebounds first quarter performance from Shaq, the Lakers took a 25-15 lead. Then, the Kings went on a 13-0 run in the first 4 minutes of the second quarter and the half ended with the game all tied up at 43 points. The Lakers never lost their composure and proceeded to go on their own 14-5 run to end the 3rd quarter. In the final quarter, the Kings pulled to within 4 points on offensive surges from PEJA STOJAKOVIC and former Laker, JOHN BARRY but it still wasn’t enough to defeat the Lakers at the Staples Center. Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant and the Lakers defense for the entire game simply overshadowed the Ki
ngs second and fourth quarter comeback attempt.
No, it’s not over yet and the Lakers will definitely need more than one point from their veteran bench players at Arco Arena in Sacramento. But if Shaq continues to start off strong and stay focused every second on the floor and Kobe creates opportunities for himself and his teammates this series may be swept away by Sunday afternoon.
YOU CAN’T STOP HIM. HE’S GOING TO SCORE EVERY TIME DOWN THERE.
5.7.01
That’s what Sacramento King center, VLADE DIVAC, said about SHAQUILLE O’NEAL after game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals on Sunday at Staples Center. It’s true, too. No one can stop him and everyone’s wondering what Sac coach RICK ADELMAN was thinking about when he chose to play the big guy man to man with either Vlade or SCOT POLLARD left to guard him or get abused by him, you decide. But think about the alternative, double team Shaq and leave the others, DEREK FISHER, RICK FOX, HORACE GRANT and oh yeah, KOBE BRYANT wide open for their shots. No, they can’t stop O’Neal and they can’t stop the Lakers.
This 108-105 Laker victory came after 7 days off for Los Angeles and 3 days off for Sacramento. The Kings played their best ball getting 34 points from All-Star, CHRIS WEBBER and 20 points from PEJA STOJAKOVIC and the Lakers started out looking a little bit rusty. They missed easy lay ups and dunks committed 15 turnovers and shot just a little over 61 percent from the charity stripe. But, despite hitting only 17 of 32 field goals and 10 of 19 free throws, O’Neal finished the game with 44 points, 21 rebounds, 7 blocked shots and 4 assists. Add 29 quiet points from Kobe Bryant, 21 in the second half and there’s no need to worry that this team has sprayed on the WD-40 and is ready to make it 13 wins in a row.
The Sacramento Kings will meet the Los Angeles Lakers for Game 2 in the series at Staples Center.
OH HAPPY DAY
5.03.01
 One of the most loved LAKERS, HAPPY HAIRSTON died Tuesday from prostate cancer at the young age of 58. That makes 2 players from the NBA’s best team in history, who are no longer with us. WILT CHAMBERLAIN, the other, also died too young, just 2 years ago at the age of 63.
HAIRSTON was a starter on the ‘71-’72 LAKER team that included JERRY WEST, GAIL GOODRICH, JIM McMILLAN and WILT. As a starter, HAPPY averaged 13 points and 13 rebounds. That’s right 13 rebounds. SHAQ, as a center averaged 12 this season. HAIRSTON holds the record for most defensive rebounds in a quarter, also 13. In one quarter!
What I remember most about HAPPY, were the easy lay-ins he used to miss, and the free throws he didn’t make. It was like comic relief, and I can still hear CHICK’s voice swell when HAPPY did his thing: "HE MISSED IT!" HAIRSTON was one of the hardest workers in the NBA, and whenever it would happen, he would be so frustrated, and it showed on his face. He was like a clown on this team of legends, but a talented clown who was pivotal in the LAKERS success.
.
Life was good in LAKERLAND in 1972. The team won 33 games in a row, a record that may never be broken, by a basketball team or any other. And they won the championship, with each player doing his thing. WILT dominated on defense and rebounding, HAIRSTON held his own on the boards, obviously at 13 a game, as well as scoring 13 a game. Not too shabby! JERRY WEST and GAIL GOODRICH were an unstoppable tandem at guard. They both averaged 20 plus points per game, and together they scored 52 points a game. That will get it done in the front court. And JIM McMILLAN was a small forward who could get out on the wing on the fast break, and hit a jump shot with regularity. Now this was a team.
It really puts into perspective just how much better today’s team could be. Not so much in winning streaks, but in teamwork shared superstardom, and joint contributions. Currently the LAKERS have 2 superstars, the ’72 team had 3, a pretty good sub in PAT RILEY, and an infectious, spirited, beloved forward, HAPPY HAIRSTON.
Oh HAPPY day!
SWOOSH
4/30/01
After a long business trip, which commenced the morning after the LAKERS’ last loss, to the KNICKS on April 1, what a shock to find the team working an 11 game win streak, and brooming the once mighty PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS out of the playoffs, onto their whining butts for the summer. These is the team built from internet crazed money, before the market crash, with one objective, to manhandle SHAQ and beat LA. $90 million-the highest payroll in the league, and in the history of the NBA, and no deal!
The LAKERS eliminated an opponent from the playoffs, a feat, considering last year’s schizophrenic team that couldn’t close a series. This was the first sweep enjoyed by a LAKER team since 1991 when we dusted the HOUSTON ROCKETS. The game in the bag, in the frig, out of contention since the 2nd quarter. Who’d a thunk? Despite RASHEED WALLACE, SCOTTIE PIPPEN, STEVE SMITH, DETLEF SHREMP and a hyperactive DAMON STOUDAMIRE, PORTLAND was never in it after the 1st quarter. The playoffs are not supposed to be this easy. The LAKERS aren’t this team!
Hat’s off to PHIL JACKSON. Somehow, after all the quirky coaching decisions, and the seeming lack of interest in his job altogether, he has this team playing at the top of their game, at just the perfect time. They are even playing stifling defense. They didn’t do that all season long. KOBE and SHAQ are like kissing cousins. ISAIAH RIDER is off the squad, but is showing up on time, and cheering from the bench in civies like he’s trying out for the LAKER girls. RON HARPER is not in the lineup yet, but DEREK FISHER is playing like the multimillionaire that he is. He’s never really done that, in his entire career as a LAKER. I mean really, the man doesn’t have a turnover in 3 playoff games. Get real!
In the pre-game show before Thursday’s LAKER victory, CHICK HEARN described PHIL JACKSON as the "strangest individual he has ever met". And he meant it in a nice way, really. I’ve never met PHIL personally, other than as a reporter asking questions after a game, but I must concur with CHICK as to his coaching style. It is the strangest I’ve ever seen, and I mean that in the best way. Really.
HARMONIOUS LAKERS ROUT DYSFUNCTIONAL TRAILBLAZERS
4.27.2001
There was no need to worry after the LOS ANGELES LAKERS fell behind the PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS 25-16 after one quarter of game 2 of the first round of the 2001 NBA playoffs. Remember the Lakers were down 15 points in game 7 of last year’s Western Conference finals. No, no one will ever forget that and certainly not LA or Portland. That’s why LA kept its composure despite the bad calls on their home court. LA simply continued to run the triangle offense, hitting the open shots, making easy lay ups and aggressively dunking at will. There’s no need to worry because the Blazers hot shooting and winning streaks tend to cool off quicker than a $1000 hotel suite in the desert.
Portland spent 89.7 million dollars during the off-season to prevent downfall from ever happening again. The management packed the team with the biggest names in basketball, SHAWN KEMP, ROD STRICKLAND, SCOTTIE PIPPEN, DETLEF SCHREMP, all names that, obviously, make no game. As the Blazers disappointing season goes, so does Pippen’s hopes of winning a championship without Michael Jordan. Thursday’s game marked Pippen’s 200th playoff game appearance, which is second only to KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR’s record 237 games. But, Pippen can’t do it alone and definitely can’t do it with a knucklehead like Rasheed Wallace on his team. Wallace’s ill temper has dulled this team more than Pippen’s six championship rings has made it shine.
So, the Lakers and I mean all of them, even TYRONN LUE enjoyed precise games and knew exactly what they were supposed to do at any place on the floor with or without the ball. For example, in the third quarter Shaq drew the defense out on the wing and RICK FOX snuck right under the basket and before anyone knew what was happening Shaq passed him the ball for an uncontested lay-up. It didn’t stop there as a few players, including RICK FOX and HORACE GRANT, dunked on a very embarrassed, ARVYDAS SABONIS. Hey big guy, you’re not in the International League any more and the eighties are long gone.
After being named IBM Player of the year, for making the greatest overall contribution to his team, LA’s favorite big guy, SHAQUILLE O’NEAL, scored 32 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. Although he was 4 for 9 from the charity stripe, his confidence at the line was boosted when he attempted and made a technical foul shot in the fourth quarter. KOBE BRYANT scored the second most points for the Lakers with 25 on 8 of 11 shooting complemented by 7 assists. RICK FOX also scored in double digits with 19 points, 3 of 7 from long range. Who needs GLEN RICE (ask the KNICKS, who just lost home-court advantage to the RAPTORS and their series is now tied 1-1)?
It ain’t over ‘til it’s over and the championship still goes through LA.
WELL, THAT WRAPS IT UP
4.18.2001
The LOS ANGELES LAKERS have officially won the Pacific Division Title and will face the PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS in the first round of the 2001 NBA Playoffs. The Lakers finished the season with a franchise record 8 wins in a row, better than any other team in the league right now. SHAQUILLE O’NEAL, a candidate for his second consecutive MVP award, finished his last game of the regular season by hitting all 13 of his free throws. Yes, the Big Havelicek is back!!!! He went from 38 percent to 100 percent in one season. Astonishing!
So that’s how this 82-game regular season ends and the second season, the one that really counts begins. The Lakers confidently look to the next stage by turning prior inconsistency and laziness into precise offense and relentless defense. No, it won’t be all roses, although they will have to play Portland at the Rose Garden. The first round will present one of the most difficult match ups for the Lakers as witnessed in last year’s difficult seven games in the Western Conference Finals versus Portland and this season’s split with Portland that had each team winning one game on the other’s home court. But, overcoming adversity makes a champion right? And the Lakers are the champions, right? That means it all goes through them whether it’s the first round or the final round. The true championship defense begins this weekend and ends in June.
EIGHTY-ONE DOWN AND ONE TO GO
4.16.2001
It’s not the first time the LAKERS have been in this situation this season. In fact, there were several Sunday’s along the way, in front of a sellout crowd at home, in front of a national audience on NBC with the chance to gain real ground on rivals in the West. Until yesterday, the LAKERS were unable to get over the hump. On those Sundays, the KINGS, the JAZZ, and the TRAILBLAZERS would lose and so would the LAKERS. Yesterday all the LAKERS had to do was beat the PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS. It happened and a little later in the day PHOENIX SUNS had to defeat the SACRAMENTO KINGS. Believe it or not that happened, too. On Easter Sunday, the LAKERS have made a their very own "major comeback ".
Now’s the perfect time to get things right. The LAKERS haven’t lost since April 1. After a season of doubt the LAKERS make a strong statement in the final tenth of the regular season and have the chance to enter the playoffs on a roll. Their unrelenting victory over Portland, a team that they will probably play in a first round series of five, demonstrated their emphatic desire to defend their championship and work hard to repeat. But, yesterday’s game also showed how well those two teams match up regardless of the court or the situation. Currently, it comes down to which team plays better and if the present is indicative of the future that team is the Los Angeles LAKERS.
That excellent basketball comes first from SHAQUILLE O'NEAL. The big man in the middle has scored over 31 points and grabbed over 10 rebounds in the last 10 games and LA has won 8 out of those 10 games. But that’s simply Shaq, the most dominant player in the league doing his thing. Everybody knows that free throws are not his thing but he’s doing that extremely well, too. While his free throw coach filmed his form, Shaq hit 11 of 16 from the charity stripe and has improved his foul line percentages from a malodorous 38 percent to an acceptable 70 percent in the month of April.
Where would the team be without the 2 in the one-two punch? Not far, and young KOBE BRYANT came through big for his team with 25 points and 7 assists. Shaq knows how important this kid is to the LAKERS supremacy in this league and Superman came to his aid when Portland’s big bully, ARVYDS SABONIS, flagrantly slapped Kobe in the face as he drove the lane. Big brother Shaq stepped up to squash that immediately and Sabonis sat dejectedly on the bench for the rest of the game.
With a defeat of the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday 4/17 at Staples Center the Lakers will clinch the Pacific Division for the second time in a row.
A FEW QUESTIONS FOR THE $6 MILLION COACH
4.3.01
Hey PHIL, why are the LAKERS losing at the time of the season they should be winning?
Why let KOBE play too soon?
What is wrong with you, playing 5 scrubs, together, for 4 minutes at a time, to start the 2nd and the 4th quarters? Are you trying to punish RIDER, or what? He may have talent, but he can’t carry the team.
And just what kind of play did you design for the last 6 seconds with the game on the line against NEW YORK? Everyone and their dog knew you were going to SHAQ? Was some kind of play designed to get him open, after all, he doesn’t spring himself open. And given the fact that MARCUS CAMBY and KURT THOMAS were blanketing him, what was the second option-for DERRICK FISHER to throw up a brick?
Wait, I get it! You’re sabotaging the season so that you can salvage the championship defense with some great coaching ability to get the team through the playoffs from the 6th place position in the West. Then you truly will be the master. Hmmm. Not bad. Perhaps you really are worth all that dough.
.
MORE THAN A GAME
3.29.2001
Seven time NBA World Champion coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, PHIL JACKSON, spent an hour signing his new book, MORE THAN A GAME, at Book Soup in West Hollywood, California. The book follows up on his 1996 publication, SACRED HOOPS: SPIRITUAL LESSONS OF A HARDWOOD WARRIOR. His newest literary endeavor discusses his championship runs with not only the greatest NBA star ever, MICHAEL JORDAN, but his current role as leader of the top two players in the league, SHAQUILLE O’NEAL and KOBE BRYANT. Check out Coach Jackson’s philosophy on spirituality, life, career and everything else in MORE THAN A GAME available everywhere.
DO YOU SUPPOSE.....?
3/29/01
Let’s see. The LAKERS get embarrassed 2 games in a row. They lose 2 games they desperately needed to win. They are beaten both times, despite running the offense through our hero, SHAQUILLE O’NEAL. They lose, despite Superman shooting 75% from the foul stripe. They fall by 21, and then by 24. They lose, looking lifeless and disinterested.
Meanwhile, the SACRAMENTO KINGS win their second of back to back games, against the world champions, after going into overtime across the country in New York the night before. No tired legs, no disruptive controversies, no ego wars. Just back to back wins to retain the Pacific Division lead.
The LAKERS, defending champs, are now in jeopardy of falling into 6th or 7th place in the West, with essentially the same team that won it all last year. Defense of their title seems like a joke. Getting past the first round seems unlikely. Heck, keeping the superstars together after this circus of a season looms uncertain. No budding dynasty, no basketball supremacy, just junk on the hardwood and boos from the crowd.
Do you suppose coaching has anything to do with it?
WHOSE FOUT IS IT
3.26.01
PHIL JACKSON was recently asked if he felt he was to blame for the LAKERS mediocre play, and their less than dominating standing in the league. In routine JACKSON nonsense speak, he said he wasn’t the one taking the shots, he wasn’t the one missing defensive assignments, so how could he be at fault?
With 11 games to play before the second season starts, the LAKERS find themselves in 4th place in the Western Division, teetering on tumbling to 6th. They will not have home court advantage against SAN ANTONIO, or UTAH, or PHILADELPHIA should they advance into the playoffs to play these teams. If they don’t pull their heads out, they won’t even be playing game 1 of the playoffs at home. That, however, is not the biggest problem.
Coach JACKSON has failed this season to build a team that has any cohesiveness whatsoever. SHAQUILLE apparently feels better playing when KOBE is injured, but as last night’s shellacking in PHOENIX indicates, SHAQ can’t do it all himself. The rest of the team has not shown any consistency in stepping up when needed. The defense sucks, period. KOBE has been accused of sabotaging games so he can be the hero and pull out a victory all by himself. And that was by the coach! The offense sucks, period. ISAIAH RIDER is here one day, gone the next. Coach has done little to bring him into the flow of things. The offense and defense suck, period. The players are unhappy, with both SHAQ and KOBE intimating they want to play elsewhere.
If the coach isn’t responsible for these things, then who is? Since when does a coach, particularly one earning $6 million a year, duck responsibility for a team’s failings? That’s a new one. And make no mistake, this team has failed. Given the lack of killer instinct from the league leading teams, PHILADELPHIA lost 5 straight recently, PORTLAND is in a tailspin, going 3-7 in their last 10 games before last night’s win against the CLIPPERS, UTAH’s aging bunch is one year older still, the LAKERS should have run away and hid from the league. Defending their world championship should have been a breeze.
Instead, the LAKERS have a rough go, without home court advantage, and without any solid foundation. There’s only 1 person to blame for that!
LAKERS WIN TIEBREAKER!
3.26.01
For an entire week NBC promoted this as a showdown between Superman, Shaquille O’Neal and Kryptonite, Chris Webber. Then, on Saturday, they broadcast "NBA’s Inside Stuff" from outside Arco Arena in front what seemed like thousands of screaming Sac fans. The Lakers were headed for a battle in enemy territory. But, Lex Luther gave Chris Webber some impotent Kryptonite and, once again, Superman prevailed 84-72.
Maybe it wasn’t the Kryptonite, more likely it was Rick Fox, Brian Shaw, Horace Grant and Derek Fisher that shielded the Man of Steel from the crippling gas. O’Neal told his team to keep it close and he’ll wake up soon and that they did. Rick Fox scored 17 points on 50% field goal shooting. Shaw kept hustling in the first half and finished with 9 rebounds. Grant’s big task was to contain Chris Webber, who ended up with only15 points on a poor 7 of 26 field goals. Finally, in his 8th game back, Fisher demanded that his teammates, including O’Neal, play defense. As a matter of fact, for the first 3 quarters of the game the team played more efficiently without the big guy. During the first half they were minus 11 with him in the game and plus nine with him riding the pine. The team played this well in the absence of the other Laker superstar, Kobe Bryant.
After missing 10 of his first 14 shots, O’Neal scored 16 points in the fourth quarter, part of an 18 to nothing run that devoured the 7 point lead the Kings enjoyed heading in to the fourth quarter. O’Neal made 5 of his last 6 charity shots despite missing 7 of his first 9 attempts. The Lakers have won 10 of their last 12 games and generally find a way to compete against teams they consider "worthy". They will meet the Kings for the fourth and final game of the regular season series on Wednesday at Staples. Kobe may be available to participate in this game but considering Sunday’s results he should take advantage of this time to heal.
This win by the Lakers has them all tied up with the Sacramento Kings for the lead in the Pacific Division and since the LaSkers lead the season series 3-0 they win the tie breaker. Also in the Western Conference, the best-record in the NBA San Antonio Spurs got scorched by the Miami Heat 88-83.
IT HAPPENED AGAIN
3.23.01
After a humiliating 2 point loss to the underdog Atlanta Hawks, the Lakers spent a 16 point second quarter lead and lost to the soaring Central Division leading Milwaukee Bucks 107-100. What happened to the perfectly executed offense played in the first 20 minutes of the game? What happened to the man to man defense in that same amount of time that had the Bucks field goal shooting at 31%? Well, Mr. Momentum, that crafty basketball dude, changed jerseys from purple to white. And the coach failed to stop the action until it was too late. Too late because after the Bucks missed 13 of their first 17 shots Mr. Momentum buttoned up with Sam Cassell, who scorched the Lakers for 27 points. Mr. Mo also had a fitting with Glenn Robinson who ended up with 26 points. Although Ray Allen scored a lean 16 points on 6 of 15 shooting, he had injured Kobe Bryant chasing him around on weak ankles. Then added insult to that injury by limiting him to a slim 13 points on 4 of 15 shooting. How about asking for a little recuperation time, Mr. Bryant? You need to be strong for the playoffs. We need to know that you’re bringing you’re "A" game because anything else leaves us without our go-to guy.
After relying on the inside outside offense that had the Lakers up by 13 after one quarter, the triangle collapsed and they ended up being outscored 67-56 in the second half. Furthermore, another poor defensive effort by the team gave up 35 points in the fourth quarter.
After every unthinkable loss, every head on collision with a team that should have been defeated, the media places blame on some internal strife within the Lakers organization. This time the turmoil has shifted from O’Neal and Bryant to Bryant and Jackson. Kobe reportedly told Jackson that he was bored with the triangle offense. Jackson also heard rumors that while in high school Bryant would deliberately sabotage games if he wasn’t getting the plays that he wanted. I highly doubt the sabotage theory given the fact that the man is extremely competitive and hates to lose more that he hates to score less than 20 points per game. Regarding Kobe’s weariness of the triangle offense, he’ll be on the bench nursing his sprained ankle with plenty of time to think about how to bring the excitement back.
After 68 games with 14 to go, it seems as if the Lakers want to give back-to-back championships hopes away to any team from any conference with any record good, bad or mediocre.
CAN WE GET A COACH IN THE HOUSE?
3/21/01
Let’s see, the World Champion LAKERS are playing the lowly ATLANTA HAWKS, the very same HAWKS that recently dealt feared center DIKEMBE MUTOMBO from the house. These LAKERS have won 4 in a row, and are challenging for playoff position. This is a must win game, on the road, in the place where talented ISAIAH RIDER last played, and where he was embarrassed. Let’s say he left in less than most favored player status.
So, the team loses, a humiliating loss in front of 20,000 fans who made their season with this win. The LAKERS are seen bickering on the court, KOBE BRYANT is visibly upset with some of his teammates, and gets into more than one verbal fracus with coach JACKSON. SHAQUILLE O’NEAL throws blame around in typical fashion, yet he missed 2 crucial free throws in the 4th. And ISAIAH RIDER doesn’t even get into the game. Something is really wrong with this picture.
What good can it do to publicly humiliate a player like RIDER? He should have gotten into this game, and could have won it for the team. In 3 games since the end of his 5 game suspension from the league, he has played 5 minutes. He had worked his way into the starting lineup. Now this. Most coaches employ the strategy of playing guys against former teammates. They know their moves, they play harder, they have something to prove. In this case RIDER had plenty of motivation, yet didn’t play a lick. Couldn’t RIDER have slowed JASON TERRY, who lit up KOBE for 36? Wouldn’t RIDER have put up more than 5 points in the 44 minutes BRIAN SHAW, TYRONE LUE and ROBERT HORRY had? It seems to me RIDER is not being managed properly.
Nor are KOBE and SHAQ. Each had 27 points, yet neither was very happy with their game. Each thinks the other is to blame for the teams’ malaise. What good does this do, coach? It seems to me you’ve got to get your hands dirty to solve this problem. Either take the ball out of KOBE’S hands, or make it known to the rest of the team that KOBE has a green light to shoot. One or the other, otherwise there is this environment where everyone and their mother is openly critical of KOBE, and the rest of the players, including our ex-MVP get to throw up their hands rather than take responsibility where they can, to help get the job done.
The funny thing, with PHILADELPHIA on a 4-game losing streak after last night’s loss to the CLIPPERS 88-77, and with the recent fall of the PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS, the LAKERS still have a shot at gaining a fairly good playoff position. If coach would get his act together and take the reigns of this team, they still have a shot at best record in the league. Home court advantage will be critical, if this team is to successfully defend its title.
LAKERS LOSE TO THE ATLANTA HAWKS
3.20.01
Who would have thought it could ever happen? The World Champions lose to a sub-500 basketball club at the tail end of a downright enigmatic season. Well, it happened last night in front of a sold-out, ecstatic crowd of 19,707 at Phillips Arena in at Atlanta.
After playing 5 games in 4 nights and winning 4 in a row, the Lakers could not find the energy to shoot down the inferior Atlanta Hawks. If there had to be a loss on this road trip, maybe it’s good that it came from the bottom of the NBA standings rather than the other way around. Obviously, the Hawks had everything to prove and the Lakers were just tired. Kobe Bryant has hit a wall of his human limitations, bad ankles, the flu and a viral infection. His frustrations emerged in the form of 7 turnovers and his man, Jason Terry, scoring 36 points on 13 for 25 shooting with 5 of 9 from long range.
But that’s not all, the Lakers made more than twice as many turnovers as the Hawks, 19 to 8. Former player for Phil Jackson’s Chicago Bulls, Tony Kukoc, had a slow first half then scorched the Lakers for 19 of his 26 points in the second half, demonstrating the lack of defensive energy from every Laker.
Although all of the Lakers starters scored in double digits and Shaq made 75 percent of his free throws, the Lakers failed to overcome the Hawks attack. They gave up 108 points to a team that only averages 89 points per game for the entire season. Perhaps the team needed Isaiah Rider, a former Hawk player, on the floor playing for his pride. Then again, he hasn’t even shown the Lakers that he’s proud to play for them.
ROAD TRIP IS SO FAR, SO GOOD
3.19.2001
After an easy win over the Washington Wizards on Friday night, the Los Angeles Lakers met with Shaquille O’Neal’s former team, the Orlando Magic. For the first time ever, the fans actually greeted O’Neal warmly, without the usual boos and jeers. Shaq responded with an MVP caliber game of 33 points, 17 rebounds and 50 percent shooting from the charity stripe. O’Neal even played the point on clean fast break only to get the ball back for a slam dunk.
O’Neal carried the Lakers in spite of Kobe Bryant’s sub-par game. The young super star scored a lackluster16 points on 5 of 17 shooting from the field. Kobe struggled on his tight ankles versus Tracy McGrady’s mad handles and 29 points on 13 of 24 shooting from the field. McGrady’s performance proved futile because Horace Grant and Rick Fox picked up their scoring to make up for Kobe’s below 20-point performance. They scored 15 and 10 respectively.
The Lakers will face the second of 2 back to back road games tonight versus the 2nd to last place Central Division Atlanta Hawks. A win tonight will be the 5th consecutive victory and keep the Lakers at the summit of the Pacific Division with the Sacramento Kings lurking a half game under them. The race for the Western Division crown remains tense.
LAKERS OK WITH KOBE AND FISHER STARTING IN THE BACKCOURT
3.16.01
Derek Fisher returned to the Lakers starting lineup after missing 62 games this season because of a broken foot. In his first 4 seasons in the league, Fisher averaged 18 minutes, 1.6 rebounds, 5.5 points, 2.8 assists and less than 1 steal per game. In his season debut versus the Boston Celtics Fisher scored a career high 26 points and career high 6 steals to help the Lakers defeat the Celtics 112-107 at Staples Center.
Fisher’s explosive offensive and defensive presence continued into last night’s game in Detroit. Again, Fisher played above his average with 15 points on 3 of 6 three pointers and 4 steals. Kobe Bryant also returned to the game after missing the previous 2 because of a viral infection that kept him bed ridden for 4 days. Bryant’s recovery saved the Lakers from an 11-point deficit going into the fourth quarter. After scoring only 15 points for the first 3 quarters, Bryant entered the fourth quarter aggressively and scored 16 points including the game tying fade away that sent the game into the third overtime in four games, where he scored another 8 points. Something must be said about the young man’s fortitude, he kept playing like a champion against Jerry Stackhouse’s season high 48 points. Although Bryant had an incredible 4th quarter and overtime his teammates came through with some big shots to assist in the come from behind win, which has not happened much for the turbulent Lakers this season. Of course, Shaquille O’Neal enjoyed a decent game despite having 2 or 3 Pistons on him at all times and hitting only 6 of 15 of his free throws. He finished with 26 points and 10 rebounds.
Fisher’s return to the Lakers line up has helped propel the Lakers into second place in the Pacific Division, only a half game behind the Kings. His reestablishment in the starting line up along with the quality play of other guards like Bryant, Shaw and Lue diminishes Isaiah Rider’s guard position. We’ll still have to wait and see when and where Rider can fit in.
NO TIME FOR A LOSING STREAK
3/12/01
Just when the LAKERS were emerging from their slumberous season, just when they had won 4 games in a row and appeared on the verge of putting together a serious run, just when they moved into 1st place in the Pacific Division, the bums go on a 2 game overtime losing streak. Hellloooo. I thought SHAQUILLE O’NEAL had stepped up his game after the all-star break. I thought SHAQUILLE was the go-to guy. I thought this was "his" team. So why then, with KOBE BRYANT nursing a virus at home, and the SEATTLE SUPERSONICS on the ropes, did O’NEAL pick up his 5th and 6th fouls within 12 seconds midway through the 4th quarter? What kind of stupid play is that from our MVP? He had a decent game going at that point, with 29 points and 7 for 10 fouls shooting. But he only had 7 rebounds and 1 blocked shot. Not terrific numbers for a man with his talent. When KOBE makes poor decisions, the whole world hears about it but good, so how about a little grief for O’NEAL. How could you!
After all, without KOBE, all that was left to fend off GARY PAYTON and the SONICS were scrubs. You know, RICK FOX, who in 30+ minutes Friday in the loss to the SPURS, couldn’t muster a point, or BRIAN SHAW who had the same kind of game on Friday. The team was minus DEREK FISHER, minus RON HARPER, and minus ISAIAH RIDER, and minus ROBERT HORRY who picked up 2 technical fouls, so SHAQ must have known he was needed. As was a little coaching. Helllooo coach, are you out there?
Up by 7 points with less than a minute to play and the stars no where to be found, this is where a coach brings it in for a soft landing. Especially when said coach had the audacity to suppose the team might be "better off" without KOBE BRYANT for this game. A coach might want to let his players know that only 10 of them are suited up, so that one of those 10 won't do something really idiotic and get thrown out with 2 technicals in the 1st half. A coach does things like taking your star center out when he has 5 fouls and 6 minutes remain in the game. A coach does things like call timeouts so the opponent doesn’t go on an 18-0 scoring blitz. A coach uses timeouts to remind his second tier players that if we don’t give up any 3’s, then it’s a 4-possession game. That is, with the 24-second rule, it will take 4 possessions by the SONIICS, with them scoring on each of them, for us to lose, so long as we don’t give up any 3-point plays. Hmmmm. A coach usually reprimands a player who commits a foul on a lay-up for a potential 3-point play to win the game. How about a scolding for giving up the lay-up, period. Some coaches use timeouts to ice a player who is shooting crucial free throws that could mean the difference in a game. Or sometimes a coach will call a timeout in between free throws so his scrubs know what the hell they are doing-like blocking out cause we were damn lucky that an 84% free throw shooter missed the first one, so let’s not blow this people! There are coaches who drill players in blocking out so that on free throws, the opposing team doesn’t sneak in for a game-tying dunk. And then there are coaches who call timeouts before a ball is thrown inbounds in the backcourt with only 4 seconds remaining in the game, so as to maximize the available time to set up a winning shot. There are those coaches who map out a play so as to get a good shot in just such situations. That way you avoid launching a 40-foot prayer and having it blocked by the same guy who tied the game with the unlikely offensive rebound dunk. Most good coaches don’t let sleeping dogs get up out of the gutter and beat you, particularly when you are the champions of the world. Then again, any coach worth his whistle, one with countless championship rings wouldn't let a slumping, has been team like the SUPERSONICS sweep him in a season. Would he?
With the LAKERS lurking somewhere around 4th place in the West, now is no time for a losing streak. It’s time for the MVP and the legendary coach to do their thing, more walking, less talking. Let's see them merge their collective genius and reel off a 20-game win streak to end the season. Now wouldn’t that be something. Then the team really will be "better off"!
CARTER’S 28 POINTS NOT ENOUGH
3.7.01
The LAKERS started out slow and murky in the second of back to back games and finally coasted to a win against VINCE CARTER'S TORONTO RAPTORS at Staples Center. Half man, half amazing came to play. He hit his first 3 shots, including a 3 pointer from way behind the arc. But then he missed his next six and the RAPTORS still won that quarter 24-16. CARTER finished with 28 points on 10 of 25 field goals in his entertaining man to man battle with KOBE BRYANT. It was great to watch the young super stars trade dunks, driving layups and fade away jumpers.
BRYANT began the contest ice cold hitting only 1 of his first 14 shots. Thankfully, the young man never gave up on his stroke and he pushed past CARTER as the game’s high scorer with 29 points on 11 for 34 field goals. After not being able to hit the side of the barn for two-thirds of the game, the kid couldn’t miss. He hit nothing but the bottom of the net and the LAKERS led 76-67 going into the fourth quarter.
SHAQUILLE O'NEAL did his part to help the LAKERS cruise into the final quarter, which allowed him to sit out most of it in preparation for Friday’s game against the twin towers of San Antonio. The LAKERS own one-two punch did their thing but the role players also came through big for this game.TYRONN LUE left the bench to score 8 points. BRIAN SHAW enjoyed his third straight game scoring in double figures and ROBERT HORRY had a double double, 10 point and 10 rebounds against the RAPTORS.
Los Angeles earned this satisfying win in the absence of ISAIAH RIDER who sat out the first game of his 5 game suspension for violating the NBA’s anti-drug law. The LAKERS had apprehensive high hopes for RIDER given his tainted past and we’ll have to wait and see what develops out of this foul situation. It’s doubtful that they will miss the 8.1 points in 18 minutes that he’s been averaging in his first season with the team.
BRYANT SCORES 29 FOR O’NEAL’S 29TH BIRTHDAY
3.7.01
SHAQUILLE O'NEAL scored 26 points on the first day of the last year of his twenties and playfully admitted that all he really wants for his birthday is ANNA KOURNIKOVA. Hmm, imagine that…nah, it’ll never work.
The LAKERS have won three in a row and seven of their last eight in their hunt for home-court advantage in the playoffs and the Pacific Division title. Yes, the LAKERS have improved since the All-Star break and the competition remains too close for comfort in the West. Fortunately for Los Angeles, Portland lost to the second to last place GRIZZLIES last night enabling the LAKERS to pick up a whole game in the standings. Although the top teams in the West are within one and a half games of each other.
In the second of back to back games the LAKERS defeated the WARRIORS in Oakland after first embarrassing them in Los Angeles on Sunday. The LAKERS scored 43 first quarter points on Sunday and 43 first half points onTuesday. Either way and either day, the LAKERS picked up a W against the last place WARRIORS. All of the LAKERS starters scored in double figures and they shot 78% from the free throw line. Too bad the LAKERS don’t play teams like the WARRIORS every night. A team that peaked early on the play of ANTAWN JAMISON, who scorched LA for 51 points back in December and went scoreless on zero for nine in Sunday’s game and scored 23 last night but missed 15 of 23 field goals.
Hopefully the energetic, renewed, focused offensive and defensive play of the starters and the bench will continue against the more worthy opponents coming soon.
JACKSON FINALLY FINDS THE ANSWER?
2.25.01
The LAKERS troubles are over. Keep KOBE out for the rest of the season, and the team won’t lose another game. SHAQ is happy. The scrubs are playing like all-stars, and the team hasn’t lost since sitting the league’s leading scorer, and most talented youngster on the pine. Keep it up, coach. Now you’re earning those big bucks!
After Friday’s victory over lowly ATLANTA, minus DIKEMBE MOTUMBO, JACKSON had some choice words for BRYANT to reporters:
"It’s not the time or the right place to talk about that right now", (referring to KOBE seeing and learning from what has gone on while he is out.) "As far as how I feel about it, the ball’s moving a little bit better. But KOBE’S played extremely well for us. There’s times in the fourth quarter or in critical situations when he tried to take some of the load of scoring-well, a lot of the load of scoring-at various times, and that’s obviously a concern. We’re not always happy about that."
That’s the $6 million dollar man trying to be funny. KOBE had to take the load, all of it mind you, because SHAQ was a helpless loser from the free throw line. It is nice that he has raised the level of his game so that he is now shooting 55% from the line. But in a close game, and KOBE hitting 90% of his throws, why throw it into the big brick. And, it is wonderful that the scrubs have now, decided to play, with handfuls of them scoring in double figures, but where were they before the All-Star break. Nonexistent, that’s where! How about a joke or two about them coach? Where was ISAIAH RIDER the first half of the season? Is it a coincidence that the LAKERS have won 3 straight with RIDER, another athlete like KOBE, starting? JACKSON went on:
"Yet, he’s had some success and has been a valuable player for us in that regard."
What? Some success? KOBE is the only LAKER who showed up to play on Halloween. He was leading the league in scoring, a vast improvement from last year. He came into camp in shape, and ready to win back to back titles. He’s more than a "valuable" player, he was your only player up to the break! SHAQ came in out of shape, and uninspired. The others are just waiting for another ring.
Do the scrubs really believe that they are scoring more now because someone, I guess SHAQUILLE is passing them the ball, whereas KOBE didn’t? It certainly is a mystery. But for whatever reason, the second unit, you know the one that got smoked in Philadelphia: DEVEAN GEORGE, TYRONN LUE, RICK FOX, ROBERT HORRY and BRIAN SHAW have begun to coalesce into a hustling group that last night built on a lead in the 4th quarter while SHAQUILLE rested. It allowed the team to coast to a win over the ORLANDO MAGIC, when they easily could have lost, given the miserable foul shooting and silly defense at the end.
SHAQ had another great game, 37 points, 19 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 blocks. But the difference was three other LAKERS in double figures, including BRIAN SHAW who had 20. Where have you been BRIAN? How about some locker room humor for the missing SHAW? Or some jokes aimed at SHAQ for getting up the energy to grab 19 rebounds and swat 5 shots? That effort hasn’t been there all season, has it?
The real challenge for our hall-of-famer coach will be to incorporate the league’s best small forward back into this lineup, once he has had enough time to consider his role on this revitalized team. For all the criticism and blame KOBE takes, you’d think he was DENNIS RODMAN or something. How hard can it be to have the league’s leading scorer and the league’s most dominant big man? It would be nice if JACKSON could find a way to make it work without trashing one or the other!
LAKERS WIN WITHOUT KOBE AND CHICK
2/21/01
The big story in Los Angeles Wednesday night wasn’t EMINEM, or ELTON or even STEELY DAN. It was CHICK HEARN, who after doing a rough first half of the LAKER game in San Antonio, had to retire to his hotel to nurse his laryngitis. The LAKERS won despite the loss, and despite not having KOBE to kick around. BRYANT rested his two sore ankles, as well as his sore shoulder, and the team came to his rescue.
SHAQ had another dominant game with 22 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists. The rest of the squad showed up for the second night in a row. RICK FOX had a back to back to remember, following up his 22 and 11 performance Tuesday, with a 17, 9 and 5 game. That’s points, rebounds and assists folks. Hello RICK, where have you been? Keep it up! Likewise to ISAIAH RIDER, BRIAN SHAW, HORACE GRANT, MIKE PENBERTHY and ROBERT HORRY, who all had double figure games. Put some player on the floor, and this team will win, period.
BRIAN SHAW sank some key free throws at the end, and SHAQ was the anchor, giving KOBE a much needed night of rest. They finished their longest road trip of the season 4-2, not bad given how this trip could have gone. We’ll take it. More importantly, we’ll take 5 players in double figures every game. That will definitely get it done.
The game was critical for several reasons. First, the LAKERS are battling for home court advantage in the playoffs. Before Wednesday’s game they sat in 5th place, which would put them on the road in round one. Ouch, that would be trouble. SAN ANTONIO is certainly one of those teams in that battle. Second, the LAKERS never play well in the Alamodome, and getting this win without KOBE will do wonders for future games here.
Look for CHICK HEARN to be back for the LAKERS home game against Atlanta Friday. CHICK has a string of 40,000 broadcasts without a miss, going back to the Etruscan Gladiators. Go CHICK, go LAKERS!
TURNIN UP HIS GAME!
2.20.01
SHAQUILLE O’NEAL wore a clown nose last night in Dallas, and laughed all the way to the showers, as he toyed with Coach DON NELSON and his Hack-a-SHAQ strategy. SHAQ made 11 of 15 free throws, and boosted the LAKERS over the DALLAS MAVERICKS to keep the upstart team from catching them in the 5th position in the Western Conference.
O’NEAL had 29 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks and a steal. He was even singing in the showers and doing the rope a dope with reporters. It was vintage SHAQ. But the real story in this win was 5 players in double figures. RICK FOX awoke from his sleep-he’s been dazed and confused since marrying VANESSA WILLIAMS. He managed 22 points and 11 rebounds after a nonexistent showing Sunday in Indiana. ISAIAH RIDER warmed up to more playing time and contributed 20 points in 31 minutes. He started his 3rd game in a row, despite his tantrum Sunday. And MIKE PENBERTHY returned for 3 3’s and 11 points. KOBE BRYANT, hobbling on a bad left ankle he injured in his last second miss against the PACERS, injured his right ankle and is questionable for tonight’s game in San Antonio. KOBE got 19.
When there are 5 "players" on the court, and 2 of them are SHAQUILLE and KOBE, the LAKERS are unbeatable. Particularly with head clown, SHAQ, feeling his oats.
THIS GIVEAWAY HURTS
2.18.01
Well, they got it together for about 40 minutes in Indiana, but the LAKERS folded in the last 8 minutes, and games do go 48 boys. And this loss will hurt for a while, as it turns what could have been a successful road trip into a scramble for some kind of dignity. The team could have been 3-1 going into tough back to back games in Texas. Instead they are a modest 2-2 facing the upstart DALLAS MAVERICKS, with SAN ANTONIO waiting in the wings. Recall, the LAKERS don’t exactly have career games in the Alamodome..
No game highlighted the LA’s weak defense more than Sunday’s. The PACERS were not setting the league on fire at 22-28 before this one. With an aging REGGIE MILLER and no dominant center, this team should have been a pushover. For most of the game they were, but then the defense quit in the 4th quarter. The PACERS scored on all but 2 possessions, en route to 36 points. If the LAKERS didn’t give up a basket, they fouled like it was going out of style, and the PACERS responded by making their free throws. They shoot 76% as a team. Did anyone mention that in the huddle. Helllooo people, don’t foul these guys, it’s as good as a hoop!
Apparently there are furious undercurrents raging among the team. ISAIAH RIDER disappeared from the LAKER bench for 15 minutes or so during the game. It’s a trick he performed in Portland on numerous occasions. JACKSON was visibly perturbed in post- game interviews, saying: "I can’t expect anything out of ISAIAH, but I hope he performs well. Responsibility is another issue. Expectations, responsibilities, those are terms and words that mean nothing to him."
Wow! How can such a distraction coexist on a team making a defense of title run? RIDER has started the last 2 games. How is it that SHAQUILLE O’NEAL can’t communicate with this guy? Come on cap. And what good is the $6 million Zen Master if he can’t bring ISAIAH into the fold? If RIDER is so disruptive, he must go. Period. The trading deadline is Thursday. It’s time to earn your wings MITCH KUPCHAK. Where is JERRY WEST when we need him so desperately?
It is maddening to see the LAKERS lose, particularly when their stars, KOBE and SHAQ are playing so well. SHAQ led all scorers with 35 points, and KOBE trailed with 33. It was the 2 that KOBE didn’t get that meant the most. He clanked a brick for the final shot of the game, and SHAQ would have liked to get his hands on the ball. It is tough for KOBE to go to the big guy late in a close game, even with SHAQ making nearly 60% of his charity shots. Too bad all the attention is focused on SHAQ and KOBE, after all they are performing above and beyond expectations. That can’t be said for the rest of the team.
RICK FOX scorched the nets for 4 points in 31 minutes. ROBERT HORRY lodged 2 points in 18 minutes. RIDER didn’t play badly during the minutes he decided to be with the team. He finished with 12 on 4 of 8 shooting and 21 minutes. HORACE GRANT played 31 minutes and managed 11 points with his ripped up face, but he only pulled down 5 rebounds in those minutes, which doesn’t seem up to par. BRIAN SHAW has been non-existent this year, scoring 2 points in 13 minutes.
The team is hurting right now. They had better figure things out, and quick, or they’ll be playing on the road in the first round of the playoffs. That opponent is likely to be SACRAMENTO, or perhaps PORTLAND.
The road to repeat is looking like an uphill battle indeed.
THE BITCH IS BACK!
2.16.01
The BIG ARISTOTLE has returned. SHAQUILLE O’NEAL put away his whining for attention and demanding to be traded, and decided to play some ball, with KOBE BRYANT no less, and the result was, cerebral. SHAQ outwitted the CHARLOTTE HORNETS with moves last seen in purple and gold last season. He made all 5 of his shots in the 4th quarter, and if CHICK HEARN is to be believed, he made 8 in a row during a stretch at the end of the 3rd going into the 4th. That doesn’t add up, but who the hell cares. SHAQUILLE was feeling it, baby. Maybe for the first time this season. He even made a full-fledged skyhook, ala KAREEM.
Besides dazzling for 38 points, SHAQ had eyes for his teammates. He made two pull down passes directly from rebounds that went into the front court to a streaking KOBE BRYANT for what CHICK called, "the two best plays of the year". They were up there, to be sure. KOBE finished both with signature dunks. Hellloooooo. Where has this factor been all year? SHAQ even dribbled the ball up court after some rebounds looking to start a break. It was magic. Remember the time…
That’s not all. SHAQ was swatting shots like he was a dominant big man. Hmmmm. One such attempt, a weak underhanded lay-in by JAMAL MASHMBURN, was sent into the Atlantic Ocean by a vicious O’NEAL who looked like he had his Wheaties before the game. 5 blocks will get it done. Go, baby, go!
KOBE had his second triple double of the year with 25points, 10 rebounds and, get this, 10 assists. KOBE only took 17 shots, which probably explained why SHAQ was so happy. But the team looked like it was energized, all around. ISAIAH RIDER finally got to start. He had 12 points, some critical in the closing minutes, It only took 50 games for the Zen Master to work another player into the lineup. Super! Here’s the plan, keep feeding SHAQ his grain, and get some athletes on the floor with KOBE and the big guy. That’s it!
Let’s see if they get it in Indiana on Sunday. If the LAKERS ever get their act together this year, it could be bigger than ELTON and EMINEM!
JACKSON THROWS IN THE TOWEL
2.15.01
It was not going to be an easy task, beating the PHILADELPHIA 76’ERS on their home court on the tail end of back to back games on the road. Particularly after the shaky showing the LAKERS had in New Jersey the night before. But deep into the 3rd quarter the team was hanging tough with PHILADELPHIA, despite another all world performance by an opponent. This time it was ALLAN IVERSON, who overtook the NBA scoring lead with a 40-point night versus KOBE’S weak 18 points.
But there the LAKERS were, many times on the verge of going down double digits, only to claw back to a deficit that was 6 points or less. SHAQ was having another great game for his second night back from his injury layoff. He finished with 29 points and 11 rebounds. But for some reason, late in the 3rd, PHIL JACKSON went into his bizarro substitution pattern. He took KOBE out, and brought in MARK MADSEN and TYRONN LUE. MADSEN threw an inbound pass to LUE who stood still rather than break to the ball and the pass was intercepted for a lay-in, and with other miscues just before the end of the quarter, the LAKERS found themselves down 12 points going to the 4th.
To start the 4th JACKSON had 5 scrubs on the court. Not a single starter, and with MADESEN, DEVEAN GEORGE, ISAIAH RYDER, ROBERT HORRY and BRIAN SHAW the 12 point deficit grow to 18. What was a 4-point game with 3 minutes to play in the 3rd, was an 18 point game 3 minutes into the 4th. TYRONN LUE was brought in for SHAW, as coach really came to the rescue. It was 4 minutes into the 4th before SHAQ touched the ball again, and nearly 6 minutes in before KOBE saw more time on the floor.
Now, I’m no $6 million dollar man, and I don’t sport any NBA championship rings, but even I know that it is suicide to let all subs take the floor against the league’s best team. Perhaps if JACKSON had groomed the replacements to be a hit squad, or have some specialty role when they come in, like hustle and scramble to shake up the pace of the game, or something like that, then maybe that kind of brainiac substitution pattern would fly. But JACKSON has done nothing so grand with this team. He is haplessly looking for some combination that will work together, still, halfway through the season. And, guess what? He didn’t find it in Philly.
Also, please explain to me the sense of leaving the then league’s leading scorer on the bench during crunch time in the 4th, a quarter where KOBE is known to come alive and score points by the dozens? Why coach? It’s like sending him in to play with cement shoes on, and KOBE looked the part when he finally got into the game with some 6 minutes to play and the team buried. He hadn’t been shooting badly to that point, in fact he was better than 50%, though he did have 6 turnovers. The game was within reach before the musical chairs bit. I guess coach is still teaching this team a lesson.
God and Buddha only know what that lesson might be.
DOES JACKSON HAVE A SCREW "LUE"SE?
2.14.01
The LAKERS were up by 12 points with 4 minutes to go. ROBERT HORRY threw up an airball from 3-point range and the charge of the NEW JERSEY NETS began. STEPHN MARBURY was having a career game that was about to go through the roof. The NETS scored and the LAKERS brought the ball up again, this time with ROBERT HORRY clanking a bank shot that didn’t draw iron. The NETS scored. The LAKERS TYRONN LUE casually brings the ball into the front court and after several options on the much heralded triangle, SHAQUILLE O’NEAL fires up an airball fom 12 feet the NETS score.
Next time down, after again dallying with the 24-second clock, TYRONN LUE shoots a long 3-point shot which misses badly. What is TYRONE LUE doing in the game at this point? Luckily, KOBE BRYANT from behind the arch streaks in for the offensive rebound and scores a basket. The NETS score. TYRONN LUE is still in the game, and he nearly fumbles the ball away just past the 10-second line, only to turn it over later in the lane. What is TYRONN LUE doing in the game?
The NETS score. MARBURY has gone bananas, hitting 3-point shots from the 3rd row. KOBE BRYANT gets the ball out of TYRONN LUE’S hands. Ball hog! What is LUE doing in the game? KOBE refuses to pass the ball, big surprise, and scores on a remarkable reverse lay-in. The NETS score, this time MARBURY hits a shot from the parking lot.
KOBE refuses to give the ball up at this point and misses the final shot, saving LUE from losing the game. What is LUE doing in the game?
The teams come out for overtime and no more LUE. Go figure. Is JACKSON trying to lose games? I thought we were carrying aging RON HARPER for nervous time like this. So why does HARP play big minutes in the first and second quarters only to sit and watch TYRONN LUE turn the ball over in the 4th? And what the heck is the story with ISAIAH RIDER? He barely played last night. He’s a competitor and a scorer, and it seems to me he’s more valuable in the game than on the bench. Just a thought.
The LAKERS hung close in overtime, on foul shots. SHAQ even hit 2 in a row, and was 12 for 24 on the night. And, as fate would have it, TYRONN LUE had a chance to redeem himself, scoring the basket to bring the LAKERS even in overtime at 110. He only had one other turnover and 2 bad passes in the overtime, but who's counting? The basket by LUE paved the way for heroics by KOBE BRYANT who won the game on a dribble drive lay-in and foul shot for the final 113-110.
SHAQ even rushed to help KOBE up from the floor on the last play. Now that was encouraging. The two ganged up on the NETS with KOBE going for 38 and SHAQ 32. The team needed every one of those 70 points to offset 50 by MARBURY and some choice minutes by TYRONN LUE.
LIFE WITHOUT SHAQ
2.13.01
I know I’ve been ranting about SHAQUILLE O’NEAL and his perceived deficiencies. Having played enough 5 on 5, I just don’t understand how KOBE BRYANT, the league’s leading scorer, as well as one of it’s best defenders and free throw shooters can create such a problem for SHAQUILLE. That goes to Coach JACKSON as well. Would things be better if they didn’t have such a young talent? Get real guys!
But there is another thing I don’t get. Tell me how in 8 games without SHAQUILLE O’NEAL this season, the LAKERS are playing better defense, than when the big dominator is in the lineup? How is it possible that without SHAQ, the team gives up an average of 88.8 points per game, but with him they give up 98.8? Say what? And without the big guy, the team has not given up any 100-point games, but with him they have rolled over for 20 of them. Something’s not right! Teams shoot better, 43% when SHAQ is on the court, than when he is not, 41%.
Add to that, the fact that without SHAQ the LAKERS shoot free throws at 82% versus 64%, and have won 5 of 8 games. Life without SHAQ may not be the dismal prospect that MITCH KUPCHAK and others foretell.
Of course, things would be better if they could all just get along. Dah.
IVERSON MVP, KOBE AND GARNETT 1,2,3
2.11.01
ALLEN IVERSON walked away with the MVP trophy, after scoring 25 points and leading the East to an improbable win over the West in the NBA ALLSTAR game from the nation’s capitol. But the story was more about the chemistry and excitement generated by KOBE BRYANT and some other Western stars like KEVIN GARNETT. Did it seem to anyone else that the two of them played like they had been teammates before, perhaps in another life. How about the play where KOBE on a breakaway kareemed the ball high off the glass to a streaking GARNETT for a monster dunk. Where did the 7 footer come from, and how did KOBE know he’d be there. Later in the second half GARNETT returned the favor with a wild lob from the corner to a flying BRYANT for another monster jam. Put these two on the same team night in and night out! KOBE finished with 19 points and 7 assists, while GARNETT had 14.
Meanwhile, SHAQUILLE O’NEAL was in street clothes on the sideline and could only watch. He and KOBE have had similar moments, but it seems like those times may be few and far between. SHAQUILLE reportedly told the ORLANDO SENTINEL that he’d be returning there after the remaining 4 years on his contract with the LAKERS. Why wait? I’m sure some deal could be worked out so that the big stinker could get back home, now. We’d take any number of deals, say GARNETT, or CHRIS WEBER who also looked very comfortable playing with KOBE. Maybe some multi-player deal could bring EDDIE JONES back.
Earlier in the day O’NEAL appeared on MEET THE PRESS along with DAVID STERN and ALLEN IVERSON. When asked about the KOBE BRYANT controversy, the best SHAQ could do was say that the problem is not with him, he’s always been a team player. He’s still throwing sand in the sandbox. PHIL JACKSON is still too scared, or too zenned out, or too whipped to play the disciplinary parent, or at least the concerned guardian. As the LAKERS problems are heaped on BRYANT’S sore shoulders. Enough!
Let’s do the big guy a big favor and get him back to the MAGIC before the trading deadline expires, this season. Perhaps TRACY McGRADY can get him another big ring or two, but we’ll be just fine without the big "team" player. With a "team" like SHAQ’S who needs the PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS for enemies? SHAQ denies the reports about going to Orlando, but here’s a direct quote on McGRADY:
"I love TRACY McGRADY. I could play with him. He’s the most unselfish player of all the young guys. He’s the model for the next NBA stars."
SHAQ didn’t include himself in that model thing, eh? Get rid of the bum. His big ego is still bruised because KOBE is leading the league in scoring, and leading the team without him. Call his big bluff and trade him. He’s got to be worth a big player or two, even with his bad attitude, his 30% foul shooting and his bad arch. And if need be, we can throw in a useless coach with a handful of championship rings to sweeten the deal. Sandbox included.
KOBE IS THE MAN OF STEEL
2-8-01
The LAKERS are 4-2 without the big man in the middle. As CLARK KENT aka SHAQUILLE O'NEIL sits on the bench the Kid dishes, dunks, hits the boards and works with his teammates to beat the SUNS 85-83. The new man of steel had 32 points, 8 rebounds and 9 assists, keeping his team involved in the action, from the spunky veteran, RON HARPER to the hustling rookie, MARK MADSEN.
BRYANT says his shoulder hurts real bad but who could tell? Not when he makes a 3-point buzzer beater from 30 feet out to end the first quarter. Not when he sinks the game winning jump shot over SHAWN MARION who already blocked 3 of his shots during the game. KOBE says he has doubts when it’s that close, yeah right, he has doubts and nerves of steel. How could we forget when he posted up JASON KIDD from the opposite side of the court back in April to hit the game winner in game 2 of the Western Conference semi-finals?
Look for the Kid to play with JASON KIDD as the starting guards for the Western Conference All-Stars in Sunday’s game in Washington, DC.
LAKERS ON A 2-0 WIN STREAK
2-5-01
After defeating the CHARLOTTE HORNETS 93-87 on Friday evening at home, the LOS ANGELES LAKERS beat the favored but still unproven SACRAMENTO KINGS in front of a sold out crowd at Staples Center and a national television audience on NBC. In the absence of the NBA’s MVP, SHAQUILLE O'NEAL, LA’s veterans showed off their skills and helped carry the load for the pained KOBE BRYANT. Three time NBA champion, ROBERT HORRY, scored 20 points and helped hold first half of season MVP candidate, CHRIS WEBBER, to 10 of 32 field goals. Maybe SHAQ should loan WEBER that "bling, bling" medallion that he wore on Sunday, nah!!! Most spectacularly, the eldest LAKER, RON HARPER, brought LA’s defensive and offensive energy to last year’s level with a driving slam dunk to the basket in the third quarter. Back-upcenter, GREG FOSTER, showed off his skills in the high post by converting on 6 of 8 including a 3-point field goal. RICK FOX did his part by holding the 20 ppg avg PEJA STOYAKOVICH to only 7 points. Although the LAKERS remain 2 games behind the KINGS for the lead in the West, LA’s still the reigning champions and are 2 and 0 against the KINGS.
OUCH! LAKERS ARE HURTING
1.31.01
Just how much do the LAKERS expect from KOBE BRYANT. He is playing with a sore shoulder, without last year’s MVP and the league’s most dominant low post man. He has been without the support of Coach JACKSON since the Zen Man floated into Los Angeles, and as a result the fans, pundits and other players haven’t exactly been warm and fuzzy.
Against the MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES KOBE was also without HORACE GRANT who didn’t play because of an injury to his knee. ROBERT HORRY was also hurt during the game, though he played through it for 8 big points. Didn’t HORRY used to shoot 3’s for HOUSTON? 36 minutes, and 8 big points. FOX did better than that, 21 minutes and 2 points. If RON HARPER isn’t injured, he sure plays like it-30 minutes, 6 points.
The only other player on the floor with KOBE who didn’t play hurt dog basketball was mad dog, MIKE MADSEN, who had a career high 15 points to compliment 8 rebounds. KOBE struggled for 24 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists.
Still no SHAQ on the hardwood, nor on the bench in support of his teammates. He spoke to the press about why he refuses to join the team on the floor- "I can’t let people see Superman like this. It’s an ego thing."
A good start at turning things around, before this season can be mailed in to LEX LUTHER, would be for JACKSON to get hold of some kryptonite and whittle that ego down to human proportions. Either that, or let’s trade Superman for a superhero with a little less neurosis. I hear SPIDERMAN is going to be the bomb this year. And he’s a free agent at season’s end!
WHO’S ZOOMING WHO?
Memo Menos
1.31.01
Take another look, and tell me, babe. KOBE BRYANT must have figured, as long as he was taking the fall for the LAKER’S dismal performance without last year’s MVP in the lineup (or even on the bench!), then he might as well go down firing. Even though he scored 33 points, and the rest of the team looked like they were sleep walking against the KNICKS, KOBE was the villain. So, BLACK BART took a ton of shots Tuesday night against the CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (His line was 26, though JACKSON bellowed that he took 56 to reporters after the game.). He scored 47 points, and make no mistake, without SHAQUILLE on the court, the LAKERS are KOBE BRYANT.
As luck would have it, HORACE GRANT showed up to play, getting off to a fast start, scoring 11 1st quarter points, and the team jumped out to an early lead that held throughout the game. GRANT, essentially the only other player on the court for LA, finished with 19 points and 14 rebounds. But it was all KOBE, for good or for bad. JACKSON harangued him during and after the game, as is his style. And KOBE seemed to acknowledge that he was ball hogging. But really, what else was he to do? On the occasions this season where he passes the ball, it inevitably ends up being a lower percentage option than if KOBE pushed the action himself. KOBE shot 46% from the floor and 88% from the foul line. Not bad for someone with a bad right shoulder!
On Tuesday, he was on a mission to get to the basket, or the free throw line, sore shoulder notwithstanding. You see, the LAKERS have 2 players who can get to the charity stripe virtually at will. One little difference- one of them shoots free throws at 90%. The other was licking his wounds in the locker room. BRYANT finished 23 of 26 from the free throw line. Tell me which other option, passing to HARPER or FOX or who else, would result in better odds? The on again off again ISAIAH RIDER show was off on this night. He finished with 2 points in 11 minutes. It’s almost as if the other 4 guys just get in KOBE’S way. Let him go 1 on 5 and perhaps this team will really get going.
Meanwhile, SHAQ sat out his second straight game with his sore foot. Apparently the pain was so bad he couldn’t even hobble to the LAKER bench. Hey coach JACKSON, how about a team policy to promote a little better unity-those out with injuries must show a little support for the players in the trenches by sitting on the bench during games? Seems like basic coaching to me.
SHAQ/JACKSON TEACH KOBE A LESSON?
1.28.01
The LAKERS are in a free fall. Yeah, they are 27-15, 5th overall in the league. But things are much worse than their mediocre record would suggest. Yesterday, they lost to the NEW YORK KNICKS 91-81 on national television, and New York was without defensive specialist MARCUS CAMBY and forward KURT THOMAS. The kicker is Coach JACKSON and SHAQUILLE appear to have conspired to teach KOBE a lesson, but good. At least that’s what LUC LONGLEY, a former subject of JACKSON believes. "I think PHIL chose a great day to ask SHAQ to sit down and demonstrate to KOBE how hard it is to be the focus of a defense and carry a team."
The story is SHAQ had a sore foot. Isn’t this the building where WILLIS REED played with a broken leg? PHIL JACKSON was there. A sore foot? And he might not play for the rest of the road trip. What in the world is going on? These guys are supposed to be on the same team, and JACKSON is getting a king’s ransom to coach. What nonsense are they trying to prove? No one ever said KOBE could carry the team by himself, at least not with the stupid triangle offense.
Or is it really the case, as has been reported all season, that SHAQ is struggling with a painful flipper? If so, then why the hell wasn’t he more grateful that a teammate was stepping up to carry some of the load these last few weeks? Would the Zen Master be an accomplice in this travesty? The whole KOBE-SHAQ feud should never have happened if SHAQ was on the verge of missing some games. Let the youngster go wild while you repair your wheels, big guy. Or, sit out some key games and get control back of "your team", all with coach’s blessing? The two of them must have had a good laugh. The whole thing stinks, and we have no JERRY WEST to put the pieces back together again. Do you think MITCH KUPCHAK can fix this mess?
In addition to missing SHAQ for the big game, the LAKERS almost missed ISAIAH RIDER, who somehow skipped the team plane back east. It’s time to put an end to RIDER’S free ride. This, after scoring 24 points in 24 minutes against the NEW JERSEY NETS Friday night. So now what to do? JACKSON played RIDER on Sunday, and he probably shouldn’t have. You miss a flight, you should sit. He played 24 minutes again, this time with 7 points. It’s time for a $6 million dollar decision, MITCH and PHIL.
And while you’re at it, how structuring an offense with KOBE in mind. If you are going to blame him for a loss, at least give him the wings to gain a win. Sort of like what the team tried during a brief stretch in the second quarter. The LAKERS played quick trapping defense, and for once this season looked upcourt on a rebound or a steal. There was an occasional pass across the half court line where a player or two was running down the court. Without SHAQ in the lineup, it would seem to me that some emphasis ought be placed on getting players easy shots on the break. Let KOBE create, even more. And let’s get FOX and HORRY and MADSEN and GRANT and GEORGE and FOSTER and RIDER and anyone else who wants to run, filling the lane for some lay-ins. None of those guys, or even HARPER or LUE or SHAW can hit a jump shot with any consistency. GRANT couldn’t even make lay-ups on Sunday. Even HORRY, who had his usual good game with SHAQ out, is less than a reliable shooter. He had 18, but why can’t he score when SHAQ and KOBE are playing together. Figure that one out coach.
The LAKERS looked like they wanted to run on the KNICKS, but it seemed as if they hadn’t done so in years. I guess they don’t practice fast break basketball. What with all the scheming and lesson planning that SHAQ and PHIL have to do in the locker room, who’s got time to design an offense around the league’s best all-around player. Besides, they have SHAQ.
LAKERS LOSE
1.24.01
After 2 ugly losses and an unimpressive win, after going 3-4 in their last 7, after losing for the third time in three tries to the SEATTLE SUPERSONICS, I’ve decided to write about the LAKERS the way coach PHIL JACKSON goes about coaching them.
The LAKERS played Houston and won.
The LAKERS played MIAMI and lost.
The LAKERS played SEATTLE and lost again.
They play NEW JERSEY Friday.
Lah, dee, dah…
IT’S MAGIC!
1.16.01
Memo Menos
The LAKERS, and SHAQUILLE O’NEAL got a gift from the zebras Monday evening at Staples. With the VANCOUVER GRIZZLIES, and SHAREEF ABDUR-RAHIM playing undaunted by the world champions, the game went into overtime, and VANCOUVER was up by one with 8 seconds to play. KOBE brought the ball up, passed off to ROBERT HORRY who missed a long jumper. SHAQUILLE O’NEAL who was playing another strong game with 29 points and 10 rebounds, got the bounce off the back of the rim. Rather than put it right back, SHAQ figured he do a little jig before shooting, so he came down, re-cocked and then banked home the shot. In the real world, game over, LAKERS lose. But this is SHAQ’S time. He got the call despite the replay which showed the ball still in his big hand as time ran out. That makes 4 straight games SHAQ has led the team in scoring, and 4 games he scored over 30 points.
He missed 4 critical free throws in the late going of regulation that would have clinched the game, and then hit 2 in overtime that put LA up 111-107. But RAHIM sank a 3 pointer that brought the GRIZZLIES to within 1, and IKE AUSTIN hit a wide open jumper from the side to put VANCOUVER ahead.
Some questionable substitutions by Coach JACKSON left the LAKERS in a lurch. TYRONE LUE, playing in crunch time, nearly gave the game away with an airball layup late in regulation and a turnover in the next to last LAKER possession. Where was RON HARPER, the man with all the experience? Also, HORRY was taken to lunch by RAHIM late in the 4th, only to redeem himself somewhat in overtime. Where was RICK FOX? And finally, ISAIAH RIDER had 16 points in 19 minutes, but was nowhere to be found in the last 10 minutes. Wazzup? Isn’t it about time RIDER got into the starting lineup, so we can render a decision whether he deserves to be part of this team?
The ironic part of the night-KOBE BRYANT overshadowed all of the drama with one of his best games of the season. He let SHAQ lead the scoring. He even fed him an ice-breaking assist off the backboard which took SHAQ a bit by surprise, but worked masterfully nonetheless. And he managed to get the first triple double in LAKERLAND since VLADE DIVAC did it in 1996. KOBE had 26 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists. Quite a game.
Here’s some food for thought-how is it VLADE DIVAC had a triple double, but SHAQ, who is blessed with so much more talent, has none. MAGIC JOHNSON, who had an unbelievable 138 triple doubles in his career, all as a LAKER obviously, brokered a meeting with SHAQ and KOBE wherein he challenged KOBE to go after triple doubles. Nice thinking, given the talent the kid has, get him off the scoring thing and make him want to get assists in the same manner. It kills two bird brains with one stone-KOBE is motivated and SHAQ gets to score. Now why didn’t the Zen master come up with this?
This challenge to KOBE, by the way, was made 3 days ago. Not bad. Now, only 137 to go. That ought to keep the boys together, say, 8, 10 more years. Go MAGIC!
DIRTY DANCING
(DANCE THIS MESS AROUND, SAVE THE LAST DANCE, and other DANCE stuff!)
1.15.01
Memo Menos
Well, SHAQUILLE got his way. He wants KOBE to pass the ball to him more, and he wants us all to dance. KOBE BRYANT seems sufficiently chastised, such that he will do his damdest to make sure SHAQ DADDY gets his touches, and gets his points, and gets his attention. SHAQ wants this city to dance, and KOBE understands that. On Friday, O’NEAL dominated. He was the bomb, the man, the best. SHAQ was so good, I don’t think LA or the NBA for that matter has ever seen such a performance. He scored-34, he rebounded-23, he blocked shots-2, he dished off-4. It was SHAQ’S team. And I danced. Wow, it seemed like the whole city was dancing. SHAQ had us all dancing again. Dance on daddy, like Babar with taps.
Oh, KOBE, he did okay too. He had 30 something. Yeah 32, 25 in the second half. SHAQ played better. Much better. And KOBE passed it to SHAQ. He let the clock expire trying to go through the big man, rather than shoot it himself. The offense went through SHAQ, and SHAQ led the team in scoring. SHAQ is back. You’ve got to give credit for this win to SHAQ. No doubt. SHAQ led the dance, baby.
They didn’t win by much, 101-98 over the MILWAUKEE BUCKS. And it was touch and go. But we danced. Yippee!
Then the troupe went to Utah.
SHAQ played great. He led the team in scoring. SHAQ scored 30, and lifted his season average over 26 points per game. The LAKERS lost 111-103. The dancing stopped. Lord of the Dance refused to talk to reporters after the game. What, has SHAQ got dance fever? I suppose the dance reclamation project is more than a one game proposition. But we want to dance!
In the days before the dance, before SHAQ’S temper tantrum last week, KOBE was on a shooting tear. He was shooting 3’s at nearly 60% over a 5 game span. Friday, in the passing, dancing offense, KOBE shot 40%. In Saturday’s loss KOBE was 8 for 24, that’s 33%. Do you think all the dancing might be effecting his shooting? What do you think SHAQ?
When SHAQ leads the team in scoring, the LAKERS are 7-8. When KOBE leads the team in scoring, the team is 15-4. The team is now 24-12, and 1-1 with the new prima ballerina. Dance around those numbers SHAQ.
More important than all the solo dancing, the team is 1-2 against UTAH, 1-2 against PORTLAND, and 1-1 against SAN ANTONIO. They had better start dancing as a team, against some of the other better dancing teams in the league, or we’ll all be dancing in the dark.
ISN’T THIS WHY WE GOT PHIL JACKSON?
1.12.01
Memo Menos
Everyone knew it would happen. It has happened before, with MAGIC and KAREEM. It has gotten so bad, GLEN RICE and TRAVIS KNIGHT are commenting about it, like somehow they are vindicated for their lackluster play when they were here. Even EDDIE JONES was quoted on the subject, from his new home in Miami. Isn’t this precisely why we hired the Zen Master, to prevent this type of thing from happening?
So what is Coach JACKSON doing about it? From what we hear, he is expecting KOBE BRYANT to get in line and play "with" SHAQ. From what we have seen for 2 years now, he is verbally riding KOBE every chance he can get. And from what we can tell, the result is an egomaniacal O’NEAL who quotes to the press that he doesn’t have to play "with" anyone, and that last year, when he was "the man", the city was "dancing".
JACKSON has created a monster, and who knows if he has the mettle to get this thing under control. If he thinks the path of least resistance, that is, clamping down on the 22 year old, will bring an end to this drama, perhaps he ought to think again. You see, the problem with that approach is that it ignores the glaring fact that KOBE is a fierce competitor, and he is not going to play within a system that consists of no other consistent scorers other than he and SHAQ. And, he isn’t going to feed SHAQ in the 4th quarter, because he is a liability until he can make at least 50% of his free throws.
And JACKSON seems to be overlooking the fact that KOBE is shooting nearly as well as SHAQUILLE, is leading the league in scoring, and makes nearly 90% of his free throws. The team wins more, significantly more, when KOBE is the leading scorer, rather than when SHAQUILLE is the leading scorer. And, despite all this, KOBE is still the teams leader in assists with nearly 5 per game. Now why lean on BRYANT?
The man who needs a little coach to player consult is last year’s MVP. Helllooo, SHAQ, don’t you want to be most valuable to our team this year. You do. Okay, then why, when a teammate steps up and scores 30 points a game, along the way feeding you for 25 points a game, can’t you step up your rebounding and blocked shots? Golly, gee, big fella, that would make this team even better than last year. The city of LA wouldn’t be dancing, they’d be orgasmic! Pull your big head, with your big ego out of your big ---, and play some defense. Would ya please!
After all, if it weren’t for the heroic shooting of that 22 year old kid, then 21, in the 4th quarter of game 7 in the Division Championship series, LA would be laughing at your big --- instead of doing the jig. And likewise, if that 22 year old punk didn’t step up in game 4 of the World Championship Series when you fouled out, the city of angels might have burned your all terrain vehicle instead of the police cruiser that jubilant night not so long ago.
Get a clue, you have an able comrade to assist in the battle to defend the title. Use him! And help him too!
THE BIG BABY
1.12.01
Memo Menos
So SHAQUILLE O’NEAL wants to be traded. We learn from the Los Angeles Times that on December 28, after the LAKERS destroyed Pacific Division rival and leader the PHOENIX SUNS by 37 points, the big center went to both the coach and the general manager to ask to be traded. In that game KOBE BRYANT was spectacular, making 12 of 19 shots and scoring 38 points. O’NEAL had an unceremonious 18 points.
So SHAQ is big angry. Could that be why he only had 6 boards against the CLIPPERS in the LAKERS humiliating loss to their cross town rivals. Could that also be why the team’s defense is nearly the league’s worst, and they have lost 11 games, when they only lost 15 all season last year. What, is the big fella pulling a big blackmail? Big bull.
Why doesn’t the team call his big bluff. Trade his big butt to Atlanta for a center that can play big defense. Or even to Sacramento for CHRIS WEBER. Now that is MR. BIG. Who needs a big MVP who whines when he isn’t the big star, when we can team KOBE with the most versatile player in the league? Or maybe SHAQ would like to play back in Orlando with GRANT HILL. We’ll take TRACY McGRADY to play with BRYANT. Or perhaps the big aristotle would like to play with the big disciplinarian, PAT RILEY in Miami. EDDIE JONES would be a big tade for the big mouth.
Poor SHAQ, you’re only averaging 25 points a game, and won’t be the MVP 2 years in a row. You aren’t the biggest interview in the locker room every game, and you don’t make the big play of the day each night on ESPN. Big deal. You could be stuffing envelopes, big fun, or digging ditches, big mess, or doing any one of a hundred big shitty jobs. Instead, you are playing basketball, on a team with a talent as big as you, with a chance to repeat as world champions, big time. Lose the big baby routine, and be a big man. After all, you’re getting the big bucks.
Sound off: Send us your comments/complaints!
All rights reserved. © 2000-2001 Manmade Multimedia.
|
|
|
|
