Preview: Cleveland @ Los Angeles 1/12/04

Cavaliers 79, Lakers 89

Damn, when I edit my previews to start a new one, I keep hitting 'save changes' on accident.

 

Lakers win by 4-8, depending on bench production. Kobe takes the younger Lebron to school as the Lakers escape with a W. :mrgreen:

 

Lakers by 15. I don't see LeBron having a big game for some reason. I don't question his talent and I know hes a great player, but just have a weird feeling he wont do to well. I also don't see the Cavs beating even an injured Laker team on the road. G.P. needs to step up and demand the ball. If he needs to have the ball to be effective, give it to him. I don't expect constant production from the others but Payton needs to bring steady scoring every night.

Prediction on players:
Lebron - 10 points, 5 rebounds 5 assists
Kobe - 30 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists
Payton - 20 points, 3 rebounds, 8 assists
( dont expect my predictions to be close, just fun to predict )

overall:
Lakers 97 Cavs 82

 

Prediction on players:
Lebron - 10 points, 5 rebounds 5 assists
Kobe - 30 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists
Payton - 20 points, 3 rebounds, 8 assists
( dont expect my predictions to be close, just fun to predict )

Man you certainly defiled LeBron there. I don't think Lakers will take this one, as of right now, Cavaliers have the upper hand on power and inside ability in this game. Boozer and Big Z are very powerful and can probably contain the likes of Slava. I myself hope Slava will try to outdo himself and get out of the game. He's too physical in my opinion.

Here's what I think should be done, for Kedrick to contain Kobe, for LeBron to try and make Glove shoot since he's not that much of a shooter anymore. Either that or to try and make them give the ball to Horace Grant since he has virtually no offensive capabilities whatsoever anymore. I say Cavaliers by 6.

 

I'm not really sure about my prediction but I'll guess that the Cavs are going home with the W and upset by 5. IMO,

 

James has bigger games againt better teams. He has done so against Ron Artest and the Pacer 3 games, the Kings, Blazers, and against T-Mac on Christmas day. I expect a great game from him in LA.

I just don't expect the Cavs to win, even if they have a huge advantage on the front line.

 

Hmm.. I say Lakers win, but I expect LeBron to put on a show against such a big team and against Kobe. Look at what he did on Christmas day against Tracy.

Lakers by 7 but Ill be cheering for the Cavs all the way.

 

Lakers should easily take this game by 15 points. I feel their 48 point blowout of Atlanta should give them huge confidence. Just like what my fellow Laker fan said, this game will have to go through Gary and Kobe, and if Slava can make a replica of his performance two nights ago, it will be a long day for Cleveland. Should be very interesting with the LeBron/Kobe matchup. A quick fact about Cleveland. 2-17 on the road. OUCH!

 

Confidence is not necessarily a good thing for the Lakers. It's more true for them than any other team. However, look for Kobe to show Lebron why Nike shouldn't be paying the Chosen One twice as much as they are for him.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting ANiMuS:</div><div class="quote_post">However, look for Kobe to show Lebron why Nike shouldn't be paying the Chosen One twice as much as they are for him.</div>

I suppose committing adultery would help Kobe in that area eh?

 

I'm sorry, I didn't realize I had insulted your boy, and consequently, you.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting ANiMuS:</div><div class="quote_post">I'm sorry, I didn't realize I had insulted your boy, and consequently, you.</div>

You wish rookie.

 

^ I see the Kobe vs Lebron battle has started even before the game.

But seriously, Iam shocked this game hasnt been getting that much media attention in the sportsworld. It seems like Yoa vs Shaq(the first game) got more media attention than this. Especially with no shaq, you would think this would be the most hyped game of the season, I guess the NFL playoffs are really taking alot of attention away from the NBA. But as for the game Iam happy that shaq not playing, it gives the Cavs a legit shot at winning which will make this game alot more watchable. I expect a game of you top this between Kobe & lebron all night( even tho the chances of them guarding each other is slim.) Lebron will have the harder match up being guard by GP, but Kedrick Brown isnt that bad of a defender.but he cant stop Kobe. I just hope Lebron doesnt stand around on the perimeter like he did in the Preseason game vs the Lakers cause that will just make the game no fun. My prediction is the lakers by 8. Kobe goes 25-30. Lebron goes for 20pts 8rebs 6ast(you know, his average #ers with the exception of rebs). I think Boozer will have a field day with Grandpa Horace& brian cook. I expect nothing less than a double - double for booz.

 

I can see Big Z and LJ with big games. I see the Cavs leading 1st-3rd, then Lakers will make it a close one down the wire during the fourth quarter. From there, it's the Kobe show.

Lakers by 7

 

uhoh!

Some people's predictions may be changing....

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Jackson also said that power forward Horace Grant had left the club to tend to his ailing father.
Grant notified the Lakers on Sunday morning that he'd left Los Angeles, according to Jackson. John Black, team spokesman, said he thought Grant had gone to Atlanta after receiving a telephone call from his sister that their father was taken to an Atlanta-area emergency room.
It is, then, fortuitous for the Lakers that 6-foot-11 Jamal Sampson, 6-8 Luke Walton and 6-9 Brian Cook have been getting playing time lately, because the Lakers' starting frontcourt against the Cavaliers could be 6-8 Devean George at small forward, 6-10 Slava Medvedenko at power forward and Sampson at center. The Cavaliers start 6-9 Carlos Boozer, 6-8 Eric Williams and 7-3 Zydrunas Ilgauskas across the front.</div>

(from the LATimes)

 

Payton might sit this one out too:

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Injuries, illness and life and general continue to take their toll on the Lakers. Ironman G Gary Payton sat out the Jan. 10 practice because of a sinus ailment, though he returned to the court Jan. 11. If Payton is unable to play against the Cavs on Jan. 12, the Lakers could be down to nine players in uniform, the LA Times reported. Coach Phil Jackson said there is a remote prospect the team will try to find someone from the the National Basketball Development League, if only for 10-day reinforcements.</div>

That would make our starting lineup:

C- Sampson
PF-Slava
SF-George
SG-Kobe
PG-Fisher

OUCH.

 

*cough Dennis Rodman cough *

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">C- Sampson
PF-Slava
SF-George
SG-Kobe
PG-Fisher</div>

*Bill Walton voice*

"Thats the worse line-up in the history of the NBA"

Only one guy that can create his own shot.This is why depth is so important in the NBA.Lakers have basically none.

Fortunely for Laker fans the season is only in January

 

We all know what happens. Cavs play great the first 3 Q's, then Silas benches Big Z, and doesn't bring him back until there's like 2 minutes left and the Cavs have already been beaten bad. Lakers by 12.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting King James:</div><div class="quote_post">I suppose committing adultery would help Kobe in that area eh?</div>

Committing adultery didn't happen until after the contract was signed. At the time he had arguably the most credit in the league. Although now he's probably lucky to even have the contract, At the time it did sound like a lousy contract.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting the MDE:</div><div class="quote_post">Payton might sit this one out too:



That would make our starting lineup:

C- Sampson
PF-Slava
SF-George
SG-Kobe
PG-Fisher

OUCH. </div>

Gary might have missed a practice, but I guarantee you he won't be missing this game. It isn't a physical injury, so with the team being so short handed you can count him in to play for sure.