<div align="center">), but I'm sure that both teams feel that they have a legitimate chance to win tonight. The clock is ticking for Sam Mitchell's coaching career and it'll be interesting to see if he finally steps up and leads this team or singles out Uros Slokar for "not making his shots." [DIV=50%] <div align="center"><font size=""3""><font face=""Arial"">Projected Starters</font></font> Smush Parker - Kobe Bryant - Luke Walton - Lamar Odom - Andrew Bynum <font size=""3""><font face=""Arial"">Reserves</font></font> Jordan Farmar - Sasha Vujacic - Maurice Evans - Brian Cook - Ronny Turiaf - Kwame Brown <font face=""Arial""><font size=""3"">Coach</font></font> Phil Jackson</div> [/DIV] <div align="center"><font size=""3""><font face=""Arial"">Projected Starters</font></font> TJ Ford - Fred Jones - Anthony Parker - Chris Bosh - Rasho Nesterovic <font size=""3""><font face=""Arial"">Reserves</font></font> Jose Calderon - Fred Jones - Joey Graham - PJ Tucker - Andrea Bargnani - Jorge Garbajosa - Kris Humphries <font face=""Arial""><font size=""3"">Coach</font></font> Sam Mitchell <font face=""Arial""><font size=""3"">Keys to the Game</font></font></div> Coaching Adjustments This is clearly a mismatch, as Jackson is among the most accomplished coaches in NBA history, while Sam is currently caught up in an unexplainable infatuation with "100 shots." Obviously we can't expect Sam to outcoach the Zenmaster. But, we can't afford to be taken out of the game by a simple defensive or offensive adjustment by the opponent (eg: Golden State and zone defense). If Mitchell proves to be incapable of this, we might need to have one of the assistant step up. Defending the 2nd Option Last year, we allowed Kobe Bryant to have his way with us, if we shut down every other player on the floor they couldn't possibly win. How wrong we were. Anyways, that's not necessarily the case this year. Kobe Bryant is still coming back from an injury and the most dangerous threat on the floor may be Lamar Odom. Odom's been having a great season so far and the Raptors will need to limit his production in order to put all the pressure on a not-quite 100% Kobe. <div align="center"><font face=""Arial""><font size=""3"">X-Factor</font></font> </div> <div align="center"></div> <div align="center">Sam Mitchell <font face=""Arial""><font size=""3"">Random Opponent who has a Huge Game off of Backdoor Cuts and Putbacks</font></font> Ronny Turiaf <font face=""Arial""><font size=""3"">Prediction</font></font> Raptors win 104-97 <font face=""Arial""><font size=""3"">Something to Look At While You Wait for the Game</font></font> </div>
i can't believe u picked the raps to win, i see blow out. how bad do u guys think phil jackson is going to outcoach sam mitchell? nice cut and paste job with sam and chess
I see it as the players winning the game, despite the coach. Should've put an asterisk next to it saying that I just don't like the Lakers, though.
Funny how Sam Mitchell is playing chess, it really should be checkers. 82 points tonight anyone? Anyways, I'd expect that someone like Bynum or Turiaf (as you said) would have a huge game for the Lakers tonight. Especially if Mitchell plays Rasho for an unexplainable 12 minutes or so. I really think our bad defense precludes us from winning this game.
I like that preview.;D Yeah, last time that matchup went to the history. Kobe said that he's 95% ready know ? Or no ? I like both of these teams much and I'm just hoping for a interesting, high-score game. And I'm hoping a good game from Kobe & CB4. I'm hoping a 106-105 win from the Lakers with a Kobe's game winner.;D Okkk... I think that Raps will win 100-91. (dunno why:S I just have a feeling that CB will make a monster game and Kobe&Odom will be off.:S)
<div class="quote_poster">Flow Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Kobe said that he's 95% ready know ? Or no ?</div> Let's see... 95% of 81 is 77... So this time around Kobe should only get 77 points. If we don't let anyone else on the team score then we should be able to take this one easily. Raps 130 Lakers 77.
Kobe won't even score 30+ this time (oh wait...Sam Mitchell is coaching so I think the whole starting lineup is capable of scoring 30+), but the Lakers are winning this one. They won't lose at home to a road-weary Raptors team coached by SAM FRICKIN MITCHELL. Lakers win 110-97.
<div class="quote_poster">Karma Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Kobe won't even score 30+ this time (oh wait...Sam Mitchell is coaching so I think the whole starting lineup is capable of scoring 30+), but the Lakers are winning this one. They won't lose at home to a road-weary Raptors team coached by SAM FRICKIN MITCHELL. Lakers win 110-97.</div> Agreed. Even though Lakers will take this one, I'm just hoping to see some improvement by the whole team. BTW, why the name change Junoon/Karma?
<div class="quote_poster">Fever Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Kobe will pull a "Kobe" on us, if you know what I mean. p.s. No offence to the Colorado people.</div> me wonders if the raps affiliation with the colorade development league team gives kobe extra incentive to repeat his performance
- I think Kobe will play well, probably not a repeat performance of his last matchup against the Raptors. - Parker has 3 fouls with 6 minutes remaining in the first Q. Kobe might get defended by Calderon and Joey Graham against this game. Joey Graham had kobe blow by him. - I find it strange that Bosh is covering Bynum. Anyone else think that? - Wow nice dunk by Odom for a big man it looked good. - A lot of carries being called tonight. - Calderon made a couple of nice layups, big improvement there. He used to miss most contested layups, and be hesitant when driving. Mo Pete hits a circus shot off glass lol where he thought he was fouled. He also made that 3 pointer when he got fouled. Is Mo Pete the best shooter on our team? I think he is.
Calderon makes another layup!! The guy is using his quickness nicely. Kobe is playing well so far, but definitely not on track for another 81 points. Ford two really nice layups. I can't believe Fred Jones got that dunk in transition the pass seemed to be behind him, and there were two Lakers quite close to Jones. For a 6'2 guy he gets up there well.
That play was awesome. Strip Kobe, and a nice dunk by Freddie Jones. The Raps seem to be playing their game right now.
whats the current score right now? the play by play of yahoo has an error saying its already the final score lol hahaha
