Pre Game Predictions Contest 1. Who will lead the Lakers in scoring tonight? 2. Who will lead the Lakers in rebounds tonight? 3. Who will lead the Lakers in assists tonight? 4. Who will Andrew Bynum "truck" tonight? 5. Will the Lakers win or lose? 6. Will Aaron McKie score over 4 points tonight? 7. Will the Lakers have more FTAs or 3PTAs? 8. Will the Lakers have under or over 20 turnovers? Each question you get right is worth 1 point, and after each month there will be a prize for the highest score. If you edit your choices after the game starts to cheat, you'll be disqualified. Which means all picks must be in before the game starts. I'll keep an updated point total and your scores will be reset to zero at the end of a month.
The hype for this game has already taken place in LA. Both the Clippers and Lakers are off to quick starts, and this will be a measuring stick for both teams as they look for bragging rights to "Best Team in LA." An interesting topic of discussion has been "Who would you rather have Chris Kaman or Andrew Bynum?" Last season Kaman showed a lot of promise, prompting the Clippers to extend him to a multi-million dollar deal. In fact, Mike Dunleavy Sr. wouldn't even consider returning as headcoach, unless Sterling re-signed Kaman. Last season most people would have probably choose Kaman over Bynum, but with the progress of young Andrew, and an awful start for Kaman, the tide is turning in Bynum's favor. This will be a matchup to watch tonight, because both young centers want to establish themselves. Last season, Kaman schooled Bynum pretty bad, because Bynum didn't realize Kaman was a lefty. They say you learn from your mistakes, so let's see how much Bynum has learned since their last matchup. The nightmare matchup for the Lakers is going to be Elton Brand. He always torches the Lakers, and the key to slowing him down is keeping him off the offensive glass. The Lakers have the luxury of playing Kwame and Bynum in the starting lineup tonight and sliding Odom to SF. I really want to see if Kwame and Bynum can co-exist on the court at the same time. Kwame is the Lakers best post defender, and he is quick enough to guard Brand in the high post. However, Kwame has to keep Brand honest on the defensive end, by finishing strong and MAKING HIS FREE THROWS! Kwame should have a lot of confidence after his facial jam on Nocioni in the Bulls game. He needs to play with that intensity and charisma every game on offense, and just abuse the rim with ferocious dunks. The Lakers will be without Jordan Farmar tonight, he's out with a sprained ankle. I expect this to be a streaky game tonight. I can see the Lakers take a 10 point lead, blow it, then fall behind by 10 points, and then catching up and making it a 3 point victory in the 4th quarter. Lakers need to win this home game and climb a game up in the Pacific Division.
1. Who will lead the Lakers in scoring tonight? Odom 2. Who will lead the Lakers in rebounds tonight? Bynum 3. Who will lead the Lakers in assists tonight? Odom 4. Who will Andrew Bynum "truck" tonight? Kaman 5. Will the Lakers win or lose?Win 6. Will Aaron McKie score over 4 points tonight? Nope 7. Will the Lakers have more FTAs or 3PTAs? FTA 8. Will the Lakers have under or over 20 turnovers? Over
Nice write-up Shape. I agree that this game will be tough, and I agree that it will be an up and down game for the Lakers. In order to win, they must limit the stupid mistakes, and most importantly the stupid turnovers. They also have to limit the second chance opportunities the Clippers get on offense. I am almost certain there will be many changes throughout the game. But in the end, I still see the Lakers rising up and taking the win 1. Who will lead the Lakers in scoring tonight? Kobe 2. Who will lead the Lakers in rebounds tonight? Bynum 3. Who will lead the Lakers in assists tonight? Odom 4. Who will Andrew Bynum "truck" tonight? Sam Cassell 5. Will the Lakers win or lose? Win 6. Will Aaron McKie score over 4 points tonight? No way 7. Will the Lakers have more FTAs or 3PTAs? FTAs 8. Will the Lakers have under or over 20 turnovers? Over
Yeah we cannot have Lamar Odom get into a brain freeze against the Clippers like he has done in the past. With Farmar out, our bench production is going to suffer, so we need Odom, Kobe, and Bynum to be on point tonight. Our second unit doesn't matchup well with the Clippers bench at all, so the Laker starters have to outplay the Clipper starters. The Clippers offense does have a tendency to go stagnant, and the Lakers have to take advantage of those lapses. Both teams are very inconsistent from quarter to quarter, but both finish strong in the 4th quarter. Should be an exciting game.
1. Who will lead the Lakers in scoring tonight? Kobe 2. Who will lead the Lakers in rebounds tonight? Bynum 3. Who will lead the Lakers in assists tonight? Walton 4. Who will Andrew Bynum "truck" tonight? No one 5. Will the Lakers win or lose? Win 6. Will Aaron McKie score over 4 points tonight? Nope 7. Will the Lakers have more FTAs or 3PTAs? 8. Will the Lakers have under or over 20 turnovers? Under Big game for the Lakers tonight. Key to the game has to be defending Brand. As mentioned earlier, he's killed us in the past, so we've got to find a way to stop him tonight. I wouldn't doubt to see Kwame play some extended minutes tonight for that reason. While Bynum is improving, Kwame is still a lot stronger and a lot more capable of guarding Brand. However, it would also not surprise to see those two playing together and having Odom play the 3 tonight. The other key is staying consistent. We've had issues with that all year. We need to be able to sustain a lead, and that means playing solid defense and continue to make shots throughout the game. We can't afford to hit cold streaks, especially when our second unit is in the game. They need to produce and at least somewhat keep pace with the Clipps second unit. I think this will be a hard fought game throughout, but look for the Lakers to come out on top. I think Kobe will have a huge game tonight against the Clippers, and I wouldn't doubt to see Bynum come out and have a solid game against a struggling Kaman as well. If we can at least slow down Brand and force others to pick up the slack, we've got a good shot at winning. We just can't put all our defensive focus on Brand, cause then Mobley and co. can torch us.
Kaman is right handed I believe. He is just ridiculously good with both hands .. That Kaman/Bynum matchup should be fun to watch though
Jackson Says Brown May Start Tonight <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> It has only been three games since Kwame Brown returned to the Lakers lineup, and he has already made a good impression on Coach Phil Jackson. Jackson said Monday he is thinking about having Brown start tonight's game against the Clippers. Brown isn't getting the job done with big-time scoring, though that's something the Lakers would like to see. It's his defensive skills that have earned him praise and precious minutes. Brown's defense will be especially important tonight and in Friday's game against Utah. Jackson acknowledged that Brown has taken some big steps to get to where he is now but added the important steps are yet to come. Brown was slowed by a shoulder injury that forced him to miss the end of training camp and the first seven games of the season. He is trying to be patient by not trying to do too much and is still trying to learn what his shoulder will allow him to do. "I'm just taking it game by game and playing the minutes I get, trying to make the best of it," Brown said. "I came into camp with a lot of confidence, looking forward to building on last season. But injuries happen and the league doesn't wait on you. You just have to catch up. I'm trying to catch up and gain that trust back in my teammates. They feel a little hesitant to pass me the ball, but that comes with me getting in there and finishing." Brown's only field goal in Sunday's victory over the Chicago Bulls started with a pass from Kobe Bryant and ended with a dunk over forward Andres Nocioni. "That was a huge play and it (the shoulder) didn't hurt," Brown said. "I didn't even expect him (Bryant) to pass it. He kind of threw it to me in motion, and I just went up." Brown, at least for his first three games, has been playing behind center Andrew Bynum. Coming off the bench is not something Brown wants to continue doing, and Jackson doesn't want Brown to get comfortable in a reserve role. "He shouldn't be comfortable at all," Jackson said. "He should be striving to be a starter and that's a challenge that I think he wants." Until he becomes a regular fixture in the Lakers' starting lineup, he'll have to catch up and prove he can do the work on both ends of the court. "We played with the big guys last week, and Kwame really showed his confidence in the post with the other big guys," Jackson said. "We're still waiting to see him flush out the rest of his game in a live-court situation." </div> Link
Since Jackson is considering changing the line up, who you you want to have the starting five. I know this is a long shot but I hope its... Bynum Kwame Odom Luke Kobe WIth the triangle we dont need a set pointguard and if Smush starts, Casell is going to kill Smush with the pick and roll and post game. What do you guys think?
<div class="quote_poster">Pablo23 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Since Jackson is considering changing the line up, who you you want to have the starting five. I know this is a long shot but I hope its... Bynum Kwame Odom Luke Kobe WIth the triangle we dont need a set pointguard and if Smush starts, Casell is going to kill Smush with the pick and roll and post game. What do you guys think?</div> I love this lineup for tonight's game. The Clippers don't have a speed guard, and Ross isn't much of an offensive threat, so you can get away with Luke defending him. This would create several mismatches in the Lakers advantage. The Clippers would have to decide who Cassell guards Luke or Kobe? If it's Kobe, Cassell is getting lit up. If it's Luke, then Luke can just post Cassell up and create for teammates once the double team comes. I'd love to see PJax get creative with this type of lineup during stretches of the game tonight.
1. Who will lead the Lakers in scoring tonight? KB24 2. Who will lead the Lakers in rebounds tonight? LO7 3. Who will lead the Lakers in assists tonight? KB24 4. Who will Andrew Bynum "truck" tonight? KAMAN 5. Will the Lakers win or lose? WIN 6. Will Aaron McKie score over 4 points tonight? NO 7. Will the Lakers have more FTAs or 3PTAs? FTA's 8. Will the Lakers have under or over 20 turnovers? UNDER
Well, apparently Kwame isn't starting tonight. Anyways, <font size=""6""><font color=""Red"">AN AARON MCKIE SIGHTING!!!</font></font>
Bah, bit dissapointed in Kobe, was expecting at least a 50+ game after such a massive first quater, he scored 20 of the Lakers 27 in the first quater.
<div class="quote_poster">NTC187 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Bah, bit dissapointed in Kobe, was expecting at least a 50+ game after such a massive first quater, he scored 20 of the Lakers 27 in the first quater.</div> If Kobe keeps up his scoring and scores 50+, we lose this game. So go figure. We had to get every involved that way it results to everyone playing better defense. Great game by Lakers....HUUGE drought in the 4th, but we got the W. If we can beat Utah on the road, we are the real deal, but I really hate to say it, I think we're losing that one...
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">If we can beat Utah on the road, we are the real deal, but I really hate to say it, I think we're losing that one...</div> Really? I haven't gotten a look at Utah this season so I don't know their strengths and weaknesses, and I don't know how their schedule has been so far. Still though, while Utah will be a big teset- The lakers will be feeling confident with 4 wins in a row and Kobe feeling good after dropping 40.
<div class="quote_poster">ilive4ball Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Really? I haven't gotten a look at Utah this season so I don't know their strengths and weaknesses, and I don't know how their schedule has been so far. Still though, while Utah will be a big teset- The lakers will be feeling confident with 4 wins in a row and Kobe feeling good after dropping 40.</div> You are right on the 4 game win streak and Kobe's 40 pt performance. But beating the best team currently in the NBA on the road is gonna be real hard. I think we will lose the one in Utah and win against Utah at home a couple games later. We'll see, I mean I'll keep my fingers crossed for 5 straight
