<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Lately it seems the more shots Kobe Bryant takes the worse off the Los Angeles Lakers are. Bryant and the Lakers will try to avoid their second three-game losing streak of the season when they visit the Utah Jazz. Bryant attempted 33 shots against defending NBA champion San Antonio on Tuesday, making only nine en route to 25 points in a 90-84 loss to the Spurs. Bryant missed all six of his 3-point attempts in 41 minutes, and had no assists for the first time this season. It was the fifth time in the last six games he attempted at least 33 field goals, and the Lakers have gone 1-4 in those contests. The All-Star guard, who leads the league with 33.5 points per game, had an NBA season-high 46 in a loss to New Jersey on Sunday as Los Angeles fell to 1-2 when he scores at least 40 points this season. Lamar Odom had his best game of the season against the Spurs, scoring a season-high 27 points and pulling down 16 rebounds. "Statistically, I suppose this was my best game if you want to look at it that way, but I think I could have made a few more plays," said Odom, who missed a short follow on another miss by Bryant with 3.8 seconds left. "If we are going to win games, it's important for me to finish strong at the basket." Injuries to forwards Kwame Brown (right hamstring strain) and Devean George (sore left foot) have left the Lakers shorthanded, but Bryant may need to defer to Odom more often if the team is to snap out of its early season slump. In the three games Bryant has scored at least 40 points, Odom has attempted an average of just over eight shots per game, and has reached double digits in scoring once during that stretch. After establishing a new low for home futility with a 73-62 loss to the New York Knicks on Nov. 14, Utah managed to do even worse Tuesday in an 84-60 defeat to visiting Indiana. Utah committed 20 turnovers and went 23-for-69 from the field. Deron Williams led the Jazz with 14 points and Andrei Kirilenko scored seven in his return to the lineup after missing seven straight games with a sprained right ankle. "We could never get any energy to run the floor," Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said. "I'd say that is the most difficult thing to have to sit and watch -- our ability to run the floor. I think our guys are in pretty good shape, but it looked like we were running in mud." The Jazz visit Portland on Sunday before returning to the Delta Center for a five-game homestand, beginning Monday against Minnesota. STANDINGS (through Nov. 30): Lakers - 5th place, 4 GB, Pacific Division. Jazz - 4th place (tied), 2 GB, Northwest Division. PROBABLE STARTERS: Lakers - F Odom, F Brian Cook, C Chris Mihm, G Smush Parker, G Bryant. Jazz - F Matt Harpring, F Mehmet Okur, C Greg Ostertag, G Williams, G Devin Brown. TEAM LEADERS: Lakers - Bryant, 33.5 ppg; Odom, 10.1 rpg and 5 apg. Jazz - Okur, 18.2 ppg and 8.9 rpg; Williams, 4.9 apg. 2004-05 SEASON SERIES: Jazz, 3-1. LAST MEETING: March 22; Jazz, 115-107. At Salt Lake City, Utah, Okur had 27 points and 16 rebounds to help the Jazz snap a season-high nine-game losing streak and overcome a 43-point performance from Bryant. ROAD/HOME RECORDS: Lakers - 2-4 on the road; Jazz - 2-5 at home</div> link:http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview;_ylt=A...?gid=2005120126 all game discussions go here
Smush was dominating in the first half, I tuned out after that. Kobe was having a nice game as usual and Andrew Bynum was showing more rookie mistakes than usual but its a learning process. I think that SHOWtime has this one.
I'm watching this game and I can't control my F words. It comes out randomly when I don't expect it. I lost track and now wondering why Kobe's on the bench. Hold up Gooooooooaaaaaaaal!!! Vuja ahh can't think to spell the rest of his name.
I don't care what anyone say's about Sasha, he's been playing damn well these last 3-4 games and he just hit a big time 3 pointer with 20 secs left in OT. His defense has improved vastly and its looking like Phil is turning him into a shooter-Kerr-like player, most of Sasha's shots are from the 3 pt line.
Man...kobe really needs to start taking it to the hole ALOT more. He is settling for to many outside jumpers. Good Game though glad Lakers go the win!
Refs were horrible. Just terrible. I'll admit, even for Jazz's side as well. But refs were just killing the Lakers. WTFjumpball Odom v. Kirilenko when he got slapped like crazy? WTFKobe getting fouls called on him so easily when hes getting hammered every single time he has the ball. the list keeps going on.
Kobe's shot selecions are HORRIBLE. Phil needs to stop letting him go 1v1(2v1 or 3v1) so often and just let it come natural to him. Set out the screens, pass pass pass I know it's not just that easy, but we can't let Kobe do everything.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting rocky votolato:</div><div class="quote_post">Kobe's shot selecions are HORRIBLE. Phil needs to stop letting him go 1v1(2v1 or 3v1) so often and just let it come natural to him. Set out the screens, pass pass pass I know it's not just that easy, but we can't let Kobe do everything.</div> Preach, after the beginning of this season when Kobe was actually shooting a little over 50% I was like wow, he may at least finish the season shooting 48%. Now with his historical like shot attempts without even making half at any point it seems. I'd be happy if he could get it back up to at least 45%. Like Chuck was saying u shouldn't take 30 shots and over unless you're in the zone. And I've always personally felt when a player takes that many shots is because he's hot. But Kobe isn't, I mean u gotta be shooting close to 60% minimum to shoot that many shots. Just pass the ball Kobe so your teammates believe in themselves while you're on the floor. Instead of all this Iso to shoot a 20 foot jump shot. Damnit!
I dont know why Phil isn't in Kobes ear more about the jumpers. You know that the way Kobe is playing is not what Jackson wants. I hate to bring this up but I've noticed this the last 2 years...has Kobe lost a step? He seems much more tentative to bring it to the basket then he used to, and yes- he can still dunk like crazy- but they are not as effortless as they once were....perhaps this is why he's always shooting the J's? Are Kobe's knee's bothering him more than the organization wants the League to know?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting ilive4ball:</div><div class="quote_post">I dont know why Phil isn't in Kobes ear more about the jumpers. You know that the way Kobe is playing is not what Jackson wants. I hate to bring this up but I've noticed this the last 2 years...has Kobe lost a step? He seems much more tentative to bring it to the basket then he used to, and yes- he can still dunk like crazy- but they are not as effortless as they once were....perhaps this is why he's always shooting the J's? Are Kobe's knee's bothering him more than the organization wants the League to know?</div> Hmm now that I think about yeah. I haven't seen him with a crazy dunk at all this year. Smush has all the dunks over ppl. Never thought about that. But at the same time he still should drive the ball more and dish out too. All those T-Mac like shots is fustrating.
Ugly win, I'm just glad the Lakers got bailed out twice in this game, once by the refs and once by Sasha. The Lakers dominated this game for 3 quarters and fell apart in the final quarter. The way Kobe was playing in the final period was pissing me off. Launching 3's early in the shot clock, doing those stupid pump fake jumpers with 2 guys on him, and not driving to the basket. Unlike the previous games, the lane was there for Kobe all night. The Lakers spread the defense because Smush and Walton were making their jumpshots, but Kobe didn't stay within the framework of the offense and played stupid basketball tonight. I know PJax is pissed, because he benched Kobe after that second careless 3 pointer he took. In the last two games Kobe is shooting 20 for 64, that's ridiculous. Deron Williams is a baller for the Jazz. He doesn't play like a rookie at all and killed the Lakers in the pick and roll all night. I would love to have seen Kobe huddle with the players after he fouled out to encourage them and let them know they can still win the game. Those little things are what leaders do for a team and help build that team chemistry. The Lakers just made tomorrow's game a lot tougher because of the extra minutes everyone had to play. Luke Walton was dying out there in the end, since he's not 100% up on his conditioning.
Sloppy game that shouldn't have been as close as it was. We choked in the 4th and, if it wasn't for a bad call, we'd have lost tonight. Kobe played out of control once again, however, I have to give him some credit for winning the game for us. He had a hell of an acting job on that forced jump shot at the end of regulation and got the call. If it wasn't for that, the game would have been over. So, I will give him his dues on that, cause that was a great acting job. I even thought it was a foul til they slowed it down. So, props for that. However, I really have to give it up for Sasha tonight. He looked good tonight and played with confidence. He hit those two clutch free throws tonight with all the pressure on him, and than knocked in that huge trey to give the Lakers the lead. Great game by him tonight, and it was good to see the Lakers pull it out after dominating the entire way through. And one last thing, Deron Williams is a freaking stud. His game last night and all season says it all, and he's looking like a top candidate for the ROY. If the Jazz are smart, they keep the minutes coming in for him, because that kid's going to be amazing.
