Thoughts From Game 1: Kobe's Rest, Look out for LO, Gasol's Respect

I think everyone I have talked to you enjoys the NBA were pretty excited for the series between the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers. I know that I am pumped for that one for a variety of reasons and it's one of those series where I am torn.  I enjoy the Los Angeles Lakers because I consider myself someone who stands in Kobe's corner even though I would put LBJ ahead of him as best overall and who I probably built my team around (age reasons) but he is the best closer in the game, no one better. But I like Steve Nash plus a variety of others on the Suns. There are only a few teams I actually don't like which is the Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, Atlanta Hawks, Utah Jazz (except for Wes!), Chicago Bulls (sorta), and Cleveland Cavaliers

Anyways here are a few thoughts about last night blow out where the Lakers dominated 128-107 and if things continue this could be another quick series for the Lakers, which I think is a big reason L.A. is playing that much better.  The Lakers have a variety of old and young players but I think they are a team who needs rest to regroup and it makes the team that much better. 

Whose benefits the most out of this?  Kobe Bryant, he looked tired against Oklahoma City, and then things seemed to get better against Utah, then last night Bryant dropped 40 pts (13/23) 5 5. He only shot 23 times, got to the line twelve times and basically lived up to the ill-advised Spike Lee documentary because Bryant did work. There is no one on the Suns who can keep up with a rested Kobe and that is a big fat rut-roh for the Suns.

Another rut-roh for the Suns is the play of Lamar Odom.  We saw this last year in the Western Conference Championship and the NBA Finals.  I devoted an entire post to him last year because LO was that damn good deep in the playoffs and he came up with a 19 and 19, abused Amar'e Stoudamire on the glass in Game 1 today.  Odom is a type of guy who needs one good game and he appears to take off for the next couple of games. I expect some big things out of Odom in the coming weeks and the fact you can have a front line of 6'11 7'0 7'1 is just plain scary and no one in the NBA can stop that combination when they are playing like they did in Game 1. 

When are we going to all agree that Pau Gasol is a top three power forward right now in the NBA? He plays pretty good defense and I believe he has washed off the reputation of being softer than Charmin inside the lane. I personally would love him on my team and I can only think of a couple big men that I would rather have on my team. I believe people don't like him because he yells alot, complains about calls, and looks like he lives outside of the Staples Center. I can't blame those people but you gotta give respect when it's due.

Finally, a quick thought on the Suns.  They cannot have Steve Nash only shooting the ball twelve times and getting to the line only twice in a game. They need more out of Nash and he can exploit the Lakers in the lane with Derek Fisher inside.  They can win the second game but they will need ten times a better defensive performance.

-Charlie.

Lamar Lands in LA

One of the biggest things in the NBA off season has came to end with the Los Angeles Lakers agreeing to a deal with Lamar Odom after it appeared that he was headed back with the Miami Heat. This for the Lakers was probably the biggest achievement of the off season.

We have talked about Odom a couple times on the blog and take away all the things that Kobe Bryant does... LO is the glue of the team. Despite what you think about Odom's antics with his love of the beach and gummy worms, LO does some great things on the boards, defense, and somewhat scoring wise. It also appears to me that Odom is one of the veteran leaders (Derek Fisher too) who will talk to you and explain to you whats going on in the Laker world. The big reason is I really dont believe that Kobe does all that shit therefore you have Odom.

Los Angeles has to breathe a sigh of a relief too because if they were lose Odom and Trevor Ariza would have been disastrous. The Lakers would have to find someone to fill the hole of Odom would have left and it wouldnt been anyone to Lamar's level.

The Lakers now look ready to make a title defense with their new acquisition Ron Artest who is high school friends with Odom leading to having a strong relationship on the court. I think you will see Artest-Odom combination on many parts of the floor.

-Charlie.

500 Post!!! and Big Trouble in La La Land with LO

First off this is the big 500 which means we are have way to 1000. Like I said in the BDay post we are trying to improve the blog in any way we can and I can only hope this takes off like I want it do. Lets go down to the story...

This is once again a big fat rut-roh for the city of Los Angeles (two in one week that some sort of a record especially that it is for two different teams in the same area yet same sport). The Lakers decided to pull their contract for Lamar Odom because neither side can come to a deal to agree on. That is big time trouble for the Lakers and I have no idea why Odom thinks he will get more money elsewhere.

We have joked a bunch about Odom's comment about loving being by a beach and the fact of the matter is he will not find that unless he goes to the Clippers or back to Miami where he got in a ton of trouble in South Beach. Therefore every other team in basketball believes he will be unhappy if goes to their team. He basically screwed himself the opportunity of a team taking a chance on him giving him for money then the Lakeshow.

The other thing that doesnt make sense about Odom is the fact of the matter that he seems to the suddle leader of the team. Yes Kobe Bryant is first in command but I think many of the guys on the team enjoy Odom's light humor. In addition, much was made about Ron Artest and him playing in the playgrounds in New York City and the fact they are good buddies. Why would you want to leave this city Lamar?

With all this being said, I cant really blame the Lakers for low-balling Odom. They dont have the money to pay what Odom wants although they expect him to understand in order to get back-to-back titles. If the Lakers dont have Odom next year, I think they become lower on the totem pole in the Western Conference with the Spurs being the best team there.

-Charlie.

All About LO

The game five between the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers last night many people believe could go either way went only one way and that was L.A.'s way.

Throughout most of the first three quarters, it was rather back and forth plus the Nuggets took control grabbing a nine point lead until Shannon Brown dunked nasty over Chris "Birdman" Anderson. That seems to start the momentum to the Lakers and after that, it seems like the Lakers could do anything in the game.

Another big factor was Lamar Odom's huge night which when that happens the Lakers are the best team in the NBA no doubt about. LO had 19 pts 14 rbs and 4 blocks plus a thunderous dunk over Birdman once again. (Side note: I feel bad for my boy Birdman because there were two Lakers posters made on him last night, just nasty.) But see what I do not get is how LO can have these games once or twice every series yet not do it night in and night out. I think he is one of the most fascinating players in the NBA today because I truly believe its all mental with Odom. If he can get up for game 6, its lights out for Denver.

You didnt think I would go a whole Laker post without talking about Kobe Bryant did you? Kobe did something last night that his fellow puppet should take note of. He had 13 shots last night and made sure everyone on the team got involved. When Kobe doesnt shoot the ball as much and facilitates the ball to rest of his teammates like when Odom does work, they are their best.

-Charlie.