<div align="center"><font color="DarkRed"><font color="Black">VS</font></font> </div> <font color="DarkRed"> </font> <div align="center"><font color="Blue">The New Jersey Nets</font> (11-14) @ <font color="DimGray"><font color="Yellow">The Los Angelas Lakers</font> <font color="Black">(17-9) (Sorry, no time for a long preview) </font></font> Time: Friday, December 22th, 7:30 PM Location: <font face="Arial"><font color="Blue">Continental Airlines Arena</font></font> </div> <div align="center"><font color="Blue"><font color="Black">TV: Yes Network</font></font> <font color="Blue"><font color="Black"> Radio: WFAN 660 AM</font></font> </div> [div=50%] Projected Starters <div align="center"> Point Guard: <font color="Yellow">Smush Parker</font> </div> <div align="center"> Shooting Guard: <font color="Yellow">Kobe Bryant</font> </div> <div align="center"> Small Forward: <font color="Yellow">Luke Walton</font> </div> <div align="center"> Power Forward: <font color="Yellow">Brian Cook</font> </div> <div align="center"> Center: <font color="Yellow">Kwame Brown</font> </div> [/div] Projected Starters <div align="center"> Point Guard: <font color="Blue">Jason Kidd</font> </div> <div align="center"> Shooting Guard: <font color="Blue">Vince Carter</font> </div> <div align="center"> Small Forward: <font color="Blue">Richard Jefferson</font> </div> <div align="center"> Power Forward: <font color="Blue">Jason Collins</font> </div> <div align="center"> Center: <font color="Blue">Nenad Krstic</font> </div>
<div class="quote_poster">Carter Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Lol, Shawn Marion and Amare Stoundimire got traded to the Lakers?</div> Thats what happens when you multitask ....that would be one killer team though.
This game worries me as a Laker fan. We haven't been playing very well without Odom, and with a young team they lose focus fast. Most of the players are probably looking forward to XMas and the matchup with Miami. The Nets have an explosive offense and could run the Lakers out of the gym if the Lakers come in flat footed. So far this season the Lakers have overlooked teams they should beat, and rise to the occassion against teams no one gives them a chance against. Kobe Bryant had an off night against Minnesota, so I imagine he comes out gunning early in this game to set the tempo for the Lakers and put pressure on New Jersey's soft interior defense. Two other concerns I have from the Lakers standpoint is Vince Carter came out of his funk, and Jason Collins is starting to contribute. When Collins can give them defense and do the little things, the Nets are a handful. Hopefully Bynum's homecoming can give the Lakers the advantage tonight.
Bynum will be the X-Factor. Depending on how the post defense is with Jason Collins. Bynum has progressed over the years and has become a force. Hopefully we have an answer for him tonight. I always love the Kobe vs Vince matchups, hopefully this one will be competitive.
I think the key to this game tonight is going to be the Lakers supporting cast. Kobe can do it all if he wants, and he's proved that. However, if the Lakers want to win without Odom consistently, everyone else needs to get going. Vlad Radman needs to continue his strong play as of recent (for the Lakers and my fantasy team, lol), Mo Evans needs to show up, Luke needs to produce, etc. If the supporting cast can get it going and take pressure off Kobe, the Lakers should win.
The Nets could get confidence from Wednesday's win against Cleveland, but you never know what's up with them because they play so inconsistent. Containing Kobe is the obvious priority for the Nets. Anyway, I don't think the Nets are coming out victorious tonight. Lakers - 127 Nets - 63
<div class="quote_poster">MrJ Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">The Nets could get confidence from Wednesday's win against Cleveland, but you never know what's up with them because they play so inconsistent. Containing Kobe is the obvious priority for the Nets. Anyway, I don't think the Nets are coming out victorious tonight. Lakers - 127 Nets - 63</div> Are you serious?
<div class="quote_poster">MrJ Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">The Nets could get confidence from Wednesday's win against Cleveland, but you never know what's up with them because they play so inconsistent. Containing Kobe is the obvious priority for the Nets. Anyway, I don't think the Nets are coming out victorious tonight. Lakers - 127 Nets - 63</div> lol
Should be interesting to see Kobe and Vince match-up tonight. These are two of the better scorers in the league and it's always fun to watch two scorers go head to head. I just feel like the Lakers are the better team and I think they will come out on top tonight.
does anybody remember those days when we used to think vince was better than kobe? as for the lakers- they have impeccable ball movement and the irony is that kobe is the reason why.
Another loss and to make things worse Krstic is injured. Of course we don't know the extent of the injury but it didn't look good. The fact is we need a change. I really like our current roster but it isn't working out for us. I mean what else can you do? A change is needed whether we like it or not. Kidd 16 pts 5 rebs 9 asts Carter 33 pts 5 rebs Jefferson 18 pts 5 rebs Moore 10 pts 8 rebs Williams 5 pts 3 rebs Rest of Boxscore
<div class="quote_poster">deception Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">does anybody remember those days when we used to think vince was better than kobe? as for the lakers- they have impeccable ball movement and the irony is that kobe is the reason why.</div> You cant really say kobe is better since kobe has never carried a team, but there will always be an argument and I dont really wanna get into it.
<div class="quote_poster">fitch4delk00 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">You cant really say kobe is better since kobe has never carried a team, but there will always be an argument and I dont really wanna get into it.</div> Yeah, and Vince Carter has? lol.
hes done more with Toronto than tracy and kobe have done with the lakers and the magic, so yea like i said though this is just gonna be a big flame board about people saying whos better than whoever.
<div class="quote_poster">fitch4delk00 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">hes done more with Toronto than tracy and kobe have done with the lakers and the magic, so yea like i said though this is just gonna be a big flame board about people saying whos better than whoever.</div> Not trying to turn this into a flame war, but it's only been 3 seasons since Shaq was traded. The first season, the Lakers were on the verge of making the playoffs, until Kobe got injured. Last season, Kobe led the Lakers to Game 7 against the 2nd seed Phoenix Suns. This season, when healthy, the Lakers are one of the top teams in the west. You give anybody the roster Kobe has to work with, and I guarentee they wouldn't do any better either. Vince was playing in a weak Eastern Conference at the time......... Anyways, like I said, I'm not trying to turn this into a flame war or anything, so basically I'm finished with my rant. Peace
Was at the game tonight. I can't stand the bandwagon Laker fans in New Jersey. Those guys are the same guys that were at Nets games when we were a championship contender. It's a damn shame of their flip flopping. Jordan Farmar is a fantastic player. Why he doesn't start over Smush is beyond me. He controls the game, has a consistent jump shot, and plays very nicely off of Kobe. Which gets me to Kobe. I love this new Kobe. He's been setting up his teammates and while he looked visibily ailed from his cold, he battled all night and trusted his teammates. The Nets were able to put good runs but it just fell apart in the fourth. Vince took his fair share of really bad shots in the fourth. No one could stop him from getting to the line or to the basket I don't know why he decided to abandon that for the three. I hope Nenad is ok, looked like a torn ACL or something. Didn't look good at all.
without nenad we basically have no post game now this is gonna be bad. As for what Brian said i agree Kobe has come along way and im not saying he couldnt have done what Vince has done with the lakers or with Toronto, its just how everyone always thought Top 4 players were Vince, Tmac, AI, and Kobe. Then Vince gets hurt and no one even recognizes him as how good of a player he is the same goes for McGrady the last few years he got hurt and is hurt now, but he is still wanna of the best players in the league. Yet Kidd gets all the credit for reviving Carter. Kidd needed Vince as much as Vince needed Kidd, he wanted in a team that contend, just like what AI got recently.
