<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">BAKERSFIELD, Calif., Oct. 18 (Ticker) -- Kobe Bryant scored 28 points as the Los Angeles Lakers recorded a 111-108 overtime triumph over the Washington Wizards in a preseason contest. All-Star Gilbert Arenas, who missed Washington's last two exhibition games with a sore groin, collected 26 points and six assists. It was the first meeting between the clubs since their offseason trade that sent Kwame Brown to the Lakers for Caron Butler and Chucky Atkins. Brown, who Washington made the first high school player selected with the No. 1 overall pick in 2001, had a solid game for Los Angeles by collecting 19 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Butler, who came to Los Angeles in the trade involving Shaquille O'Neal, scored 19 points while Atkins added eight for Washington. Devean George scored 22 points off the bench on 10-of-12 shooting for the Lakers. Los Angeles rookie Andrew Bynum did not play because of an abdominal tear and Luke Walton was out because of a hamstring strain. Washington was playing without Jarvis Hayes, who was out with a sore knee. </div> http://www.nba.com/games/20051018/WASLAL/recap.html Now thats the Kwame we want! The box score isn't up yet, but it looks like the Lakers did a good job.
I'm telling you guys, Kwame can do that every game if he is given the ball with room to work. Go Kwame!
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Brown, Arenas Get Along By Mike Bresnahan, Times Staff Writer Maybe it was the byproduct of a meaningless exhibition. Or maybe the plot line has run its course. Either way, there was Kwame Brown on one side, Gilbert Arenas on the other, both of them civil to each other Tuesday, almost six months after a blow-up that ultimately sent Brown from the Washington Wizards to the Lakers. "No problems," Brown said after the Lakers' 111-108 victory in overtime at Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield. "I didn't see anything, did you? Much ado about nothing." Brown and Arenas nearly came to blows during last season's playoffs, when Arenas told Wizard Coach Eddie Jordan not to insert Brown into the game, according to Brown. Brown then dragged his feet, skipping practice because he feared he would physically retaliate against Arenas, and was suspended by the Wizards for the rest of the playoffs. Any lingering tensions were kept below the surface Tuesday, apparently dissolving when they tapped fists before the game. Brown finished with 19 points. Arenas had 27 points and seven assists. Caron Butler and Chucky Atkins, sent to the Wizards in August for Brown and Laron Profit, played reserve roles Tuesday. Butler, who will probably be the Wizards' sixth man, had 19 points. Atkins, Arenas' primary backup, had eight points. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kobe Bryant had 28 points on 12-for-24 shooting, but he missed all three of his overtime attempts, leading to a postgame chat with Coach Phil Jackson, who didn't like Bryant's shot selection in the end. "I just said that you took a lot of tough shots you didn't have to, you pushed the envelope real far," Jackson said. Bryant seemed to agree. "Down the stretch, they were able to load their defense up, and the shot clock was winding down, so I took shots that I don't like taking," Bryant said. "When I get in a roll, when I get in a rhythm, then I'll look to shoot the ball, but that rhythm has to be built." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thursday will be Jackson's first time back on the sideline in Staples Center, but he won't brush away tears during tip-off against the Denver Nuggets. "That doesn't really stir my heartstrings that much in that sense, that I get nostalgic about a locker room or a situation like that," Jackson said. "If we can pull off another championship some time in the next three years, that might be something different." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Lakers waived Will Conroy, an undrafted guard from the University of Washington who averaged 9.2 points and 4.3 assists in 121 games with the Huskies?. Veteran forward-center Corie Blount was diagnosed with a sprained left foot and will be out indefinitely. </div> LA Times Bahir, you beat me to it. Deaven George had an excellent game with 22 points, shooting 10-12 in just 24mins. As usual, Kobe chipped in with the stats he usually puts up. Kwame Brown played well for us aswell. Caron played well for the Wizards too. In relation to the LA Times article, its good to see that Kobe agrees with Phil about his poor shot selection. Hopefully he can grow as a player and fix that problem.
"Down the stretch, they were able to load their defense up, and the shot clock was winding down, so I took shots that I don't like taking," Bryant said NOMINATION for most overused term in basketball: "DOWN THE STRETCH" What exactly is being stretched?
This was an impressive victory for three reasons: Kobe (as usual) Kwame Brown-stepped up and put in 16 pts and 7 rebounds. Devean George- What a king, 10-12 shooting. The only disappointment I have is Chris Mihm's 2 pts. C'mon man, he's easily worth 12+.
Strong comeback victory for the Lakers. I'm glad they didn't give up in this game and pushed the Wizards into OT. Kwame Brown needs to pretend he's playing against Washington every game. Great production from him, especially the 4 assists and 7-9 from the charity stripe. Caron Butler also had a nice game against the Lakers, I'm surprised he hasn't cracked the starting rotation yet. YourNewChef, I agree, Chris Mihm was disappointing once again. He picked up 5 fouls in 16 minutes, against Brendan Haywood? He only grabbed 1 rebound while he was on the court, too. This is just another case for him to come off the bench. Devean George was the biggest surprise with his 22 point effort. I think the the Lakers are going to need 25 to 30 points from their bench every night this season. Lamar Odom had a nice stat line as well, but he only took 5 shots in this game.
Wow. That was a nice game for George. I was suprised by George's 22 points.. Chric Mihm needs to start playin better. And Kwame Brown was awesome. 19 points it pretty good..
Do you think Chris Mihm's poor performance is due to Phil Jackson's style of coaching? Because last year, Mihm was having his best year, but now he is off to a horrible start. I wonder if Phil's style doesn't involve Mihm scoring alot. I don't know I don't have a lot of evidence, but it seems like how can he go from good to horrible.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting YourNewChef:</div><div class="quote_post">Do you think Chris Mihm's poor performance is due to Phil Jackson's style of coaching? Because last year, Mihm was having his best year, but now he is off to a horrible start. I wonder if Phil's style doesn't involve Mihm scoring alot. I don't know I don't have a lot of evidence, but it seems like how can he go from good to horrible.</div> It has more to do with Mihm's low basketball IQ. The Triangle offense is a terrible fit for him because he can't pass, he can't catch passes, and in terms of basketball knowledge, he's dumb. The problem I have with Mihm is not so much on the offensive end of the floor. I have a problem with him on defense. He's just not consistent enough and doesn't give the Lakers any presence on the inside. He's a poor rebounder, and an overrated shot blocker. Mihm is much better coming from the weakside to block shots, but the Lakers don't have a bulky power forward to guard the bigger post players on the court. I'm all for Brian Cook getting a chance to be the starting PF, and moving Kwame to center.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">It has more to do with Mihm's low basketball IQ. The Triangle offense is a terrible fit for him because he can't pass, he can't catch passes, and in terms of basketball knowledge, he's dumb. The problem I have with Mihm is not so much on the offensive end of the floor. I have a problem with him on defense. He's just not consistent enough and doesn't give the Lakers any presence on the inside. He's a poor rebounder, and an overrated shot blocker. Mihm is much better coming from the weakside to block shots, but the Lakers don't have a bulky power forward to guard the bigger post players on the court. I'm all for Brian Cook getting a chance to be the starting PF, and moving Kwame to center.</div> If that's the case with Mihm, I can only guess he will be traded before trade deadline after the allstar break. I would hate to have to have a PF convert to a C. I know it worked with Ben Wallace and a few others, but I'd like to have a true center instead.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Wow. That was a nice game for George. I was suprised by George's 22 points.. Chric Mihm needs to start playin better. And Kwame Brown was awesome. 19 points it pretty good..</div> Devean is actually a pretty good shooter. I wouldn't mind his playing alot of minutes. I know how people feel about him, but he has the height, speed and experiance to be a starter. His offence is wasted on our team. Perhaps we could have him as our PG or swap a few players around on the team so he ends up as an SG or SF. On the subject of Chris Mihm, he is a disappointment. He is too weak and needs to get some aggression. I wouldn't like Kwame to move to the C position, because he wouldn't have an advantage on other Centres, unlike how he does with most PF's in terms of size, strength and ability. We need a centre that can grab 8-9 boards a game and have about 14 points a game with good defence. Chris Mihm doesn't fit that category. He just doesn't look like he fits in with the team, almost like the odd one out.
So could a possible starting line be PGarker SG:Kobe SFevean PF:Odom C:Kwame Then the big line, when Mihm comes in PGarker SG:Kobe SF:Odom PF:Brown C:Mihm
I was thinking possibly a lineup like these(these are a bit experimental): PG-Deaven George SG-Kobe Bryant SF-Lamar Odom PF-Kwame Brown C-Chris Mihm PG-Lamar Odom SG-Kobe Bryant SF-Deaven George PF-Kwame Brown C-Chris Mihm PG-Kobe Bryant SG-Deaven George SF-Lamar Odom PF-Kwame Brown C-Chris Mihm Note: Trade Chris Mihm and swap him for which ever Centre we get in return.
If Kwame can play consistent with numbers like this, I expect a good season. I agree with everyone about mihm. Terrible
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Laker_fan:</div><div class="quote_post">Note: Trade Chris Mihm and swap him for which ever Centre we get in return.</div> Unfortunately, the only centers we may trade for with Mihm would be the likes of Kandi man, Foyle, or Jerome James. In which case, I'll stick with Mihm and hope he finds his handles.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting phunDamentalz:</div><div class="quote_post">""DOWN THE STRETCH" What exactly is being stretched?</div> Nothing is being stretched. I think "down the stretch" was a term derived from horse racing to describe that distance, that "stretch" of ground from the last turn towards the finish line, when the jockeys would make their contending mounts run most furiously.
