Seattle Sonics @ LA Lakers Preseason Preview

<div align="center"> </div>
<div align="center"><font color="Green">Seattle Supersonics </font> (1-4) @ <font color="Purple">Los Angeles Lakers </font> (4-2) </div>
<div align="center">Monday, October 25th
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: San Diego (San Diego Sports Arena)
TV: KCAL

Previous Games:
Suns @ Lakers 111-103 W
Sonics @ Spurs 91-82 L

Starting Lineups
SONICS

<font size="1">(Nate McMillan)</font>

<font size="1">(Antonio Daniels, Ray Allen, Vladimir Radmanovic, Reggie Evans, Vitaly Potapenko)</font>
<font size="4">VS</font>
LAKERS

<font size="1">(Rudy Tomjanovich)</font>

<font size="1">(Chucky Atkins, Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom, Brian Grant, Chris Mihm)</font>

Factors off the Bench

<font size="1">(Nick Collison, Tierre Brown)</font>

Game MVPs

<font size="1">(Ray Allen, Kobe Bryant)</font></div>

Brandon's Analysis
Before this game even starts, Laker fans know that Kobe Bryant is going to play 35-40 minutes, after sitting out nearly half the game last night against the Suns. Even more, Ray Allen will play just as many, and the Kobe/Allen matchup should be interesting tonight, after Ray's comments directed towards Kobe after the first preseason game between the Sonics and Lakers.

Tierre Brown has proven to be one helluva scoring threat coming off the bench, and is outperforming Chucky Atkins by far. Bobbitt is finding out the hard way how difficult it is to play for a final roster spot, especially on a team that's as deep as the Lakers. Look to see Brown light up Ridnour on offense, while Bobbitt comes in to stop Seattle's guards on the defensive end of the court.

The two Brians (Grant and Cook) are really stepping up, swinging towards the fences and putting nice stats on the boards for the Lakers. Grant should have a good game against Evans...while Cook will more than likely have to play a more physical game against Nick Collison, who impressed McMillan with 15 points and 8 boards against Amare and the Suns last Saturday.

Lamar Odom is finding a rhythm on the court, but this will be tested tonight against Vladimir Radmanovic, a shooter that will be hitting from mid-range and crashing the boards all night. To have a successful game, Odom will have to clear the boards more often, and could find himself having to penetrate to the hoop, only to pass it out to an open shooter such as Cook or Kobe.

Defensively, the Lakers need to close all holes. Also, watch the passing lanes and intercept all incoming passes to Collison or Radmanovic, who have the potential to put up fast buckets when the defense isn't paying attention.

One more thing the Lakers are having trouble with: avoiding turnovers. The turnovers have got to stop before the start of the regular season. Bad passing and allowing easy steals have been giving the other teams huge opportunities to make easy buckets on fast breaks.

Brandon's Prediction
The Sonics are on a four-game losing streak, although they defeated the Lakers at the beginning of the preseason. They came off of a disappointing loss against the Spurs on Saturday, and the Lakers are heading to San Diego with bragging rights, as they handed the Phoenix Suns their first loss of the preseason. Kobe's rested, and Walton's injury is healed enough to allow him to play minutes in this game...so count on the Lakers taking this one, 87-75.

 

Ray Allen is in BIG trouble.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting kobe_8:</div><div class="quote_post">Ray Allen is in BIG trouble.

</div>

I'm going to have to refrain from commenting on that pic simply because of the amount of T-Mac vs Kobe swats. .......but I like!

And I hope to see a good game from the rest of the lakers crew. I'll be looking for Lamar Odom to start finding his rhythm offensively but if he dosen't it's al good as you got to admire his work ethic and desire which is something the lakers will really need this year. Also remmember its still preseason atmosphere. I'm sure even Kobe will turn it up two or three notches.

I really expect this game to turn out more like the clippers. The sonics might take the lead a few times but the lakers will gradually keep scoring points and before you know it they will have a 24 point lead like in the clippers game.(Or something around that) Right now it seems like the lakers just have to many options on offense but we'll see. It will either be a close game with a 5 point laker win or a blowout with the lakers steamrolling on through. Either way you have to like the lakers half time point totals lately been about at 60 last two games.

 

Kobe to play 35-40 minutes? Is Rudy really that stupid? says goes for Nate If he plays Ray anything over 30 minutes. It's totally pointless playing your stars anything over 20 minutes a game. It's called pre-season for a reason. I certainly like the Kobe/Ray rivalry which I expect to continue for quite a while.

Ray is in big trouble? hmmm I guess kobe_8 you fail to realise how this is only a pre-season game. After that big block, Ray torched Kobe and the Lakers to finish the game. Amazing how Kobe fans so easily forget.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AllNet:</div><div class="quote_post">Kobe to play 35-40 minutes? Is Rudy really that stupid? says goes for Nate If he plays Ray anything over 30 minutes. It's totally pointless playing your stars anything over 20 minutes a game. It's called pre-season for a reason. I certainly like the Kobe/Ray rivalry which I expect to continue for quite a while.

Ray is in big trouble? hmmm I guess kobe_8 you fail to realise how this is only a pre-season game. After that big block, Ray torched Kobe and the Lakers to finish the game. Amazing how Kobe fans so easily forget.</div>

Nobodys forgotten about the loss, but then again nobody's forgotten about the teams overall records in the pre-season as well.

I'm sure most of you will disagree with me for obvious reasons but I see nothing wrong with star players playing regular game time during pre season. Its just a few extra games so what if they play 90 or so games a year. I wish i could have played 90 games in high school. Ahh the memories.

But you may have a point considering kobe seems like a special case. From what I hear hes been training pretty hard.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AllNet:</div><div class="quote_post">Ray is in big trouble? hmmm I guess kobe_8 you fail to realise how this is only a pre-season game. After that big block, Ray torched Kobe and the Lakers to finish the game. Amazing how Kobe fans so easily forget.</div>

yes, he is. he's been talking trash about kobe since their win so i'm expecting kobe will school him tonight. i don't know if allen will drive to the basket again with kobe guarding him. one sick block is enough, huh ray?

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/spor...877_soni25.html

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">As for Allen, he has received threats of violence from former teammates Glenn Robinson and Tim Thomas.</div>

oh man, he must have done something really bad with his former teammates. receiving threats? doesn't sound good at all.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Milkboiblue:</div><div class="quote_post">Nobodys forgotten about the loss, but then again nobody's forgotten about the teams overall records in the pre-season as well.

I'm sure most of you will disagree with me for obvious reasons but I see nothing wrong with star players playing regular game time during pre season. Its just a few extra games so what if they play 90 or so games a year. I wish i could have played 90 games in high school. Ahh the memories.

But you may have a point considering kobe seems like a special case. From what I hear hes been training pretty hard.</div>

If I'm a fan who never gets the chance to go to live NBA games but I have tickets for pre-season games then obviously I would want the big guns to play alot of minutes but It's not in the best interests of the team to do so.

The last thing each team needs is star players to get hurt playing in meanlingless games before the regular season starts. Just seems a waste of time to me, pre-season is about the coach fiquring out new plays, rotations, looking at new talent and seeing how rookies or new signings look. Who wins doesn't matter which is why you might as well play the camp invites.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">yes, he is. he's been talking trash about kobe since their win so i'm expecting kobe will school him tonight</div>

There's a first for everything I guess.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> don't know if allen will drive to the basket again with kobe guarding him. one sick block is enough, huh ray?
</div>

This is one of the reason why Kobe is hated so much around the league, arrogant Kobe fans who think Kobe can do no wrong, is a basketball god and schools everybody. When In reality It's all complete rubbish. Amazing how you point out one good block yet completely forget all the times Ray has took Kobe to school. Kobe is now entering Ray's world..the world of not playing with a big man.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AllNet:</div><div class="quote_post">Amazing how you point out one good block yet completely forget all the times Ray has took Kobe to school. Kobe is now entering Ray's world..the world of not playing with a big man.</div>
Are you kidding?

And also...what's wrong with playing 35-40 minutes? Ray Allen played nearly that against Kobe in the first preseason game...I believe it was 38 minutes. Is Nate McMillan stupid?!?!

And as far as the block goes...Ray Allen didn't do anything in that game compared to Kobe. He shot 45% in the game, compared to Kobe's 62% or something...and took more shots in less minutes (but only about 3 less minutes) and scored less.

Allen - 10-22 shooting (45% shooting), in 38 minutes, and 4-9 from downtown (44%)

Kobe - 13-21 shooting (62% shooting), in 41 minutes, and 7-13 from downtown (54%)

Ray Allen > Kobe??? No chance.

 

I don't think Allnet is saying ray is better, rather that head-to-head, Ray has had the upper hand more times than not (which I hate to admit, is true)...a lot of that has to do with Shaq's ineffectivenss to defend the pick and roll, so I do expect the outcome to be different from now on.

at any rate, is the game tonite? U got the time, but no date? I gots to study but i'm gonna see if I can catch this one

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AllNet:</div><div class="quote_post">This is one of the reason why Kobe is hated so much around the league, arrogant Kobe fans who think Kobe can do no wrong, is a basketball god and schools everybody. When In reality It's all complete rubbish. Amazing how you point out one good block yet completely forget all the times Ray has took Kobe to school. Kobe is now entering Ray's world..the world of not playing with a big man.</div>

huh? kobe is hated "so much" around the league? any proof to this? the only players right now that don't like him is shaq and allen. who else is there that talk trash to kobe? if you based it on basketball fans, i mean "basketball fans". i guess they won't hate kobe as much as non-basketball fans who knows kobe's legal problem. die hard basketball fans know how hard kobe work on the court. fans that don't follow the sports that much wouldn't know how he is and mostly believes in what the tabloid said.

how did ray took kobe to school? by scoring three pointers? i don't see that as being schooled. i know that he's a great shooter so it's not new to me if he can score three pointers against kobe or other players. he should school kobe defensively and offensively. however, i doubt it if he can school kobe defensively.

i don't hate ray but i just didn't like it when he talked trash to kobe after their win. they won the game so i don't know what's the point of attacking kobe.

let's just wait and see what happens tonight. both of them shouldn't play alot of minutes like you said.

 

Game is tonight!

Sorry, I need to put that in my preview

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">And also...what's wrong with playing 35-40 minutes? Ray Allen played nearly that against Kobe in the first preseason game...I believe it was 38 minutes. Is Nate McMillan stupid?!?!
</div>

Whats the real point in playing him 35-40 minutes? why does winning the game matter? why does Kobe padding his stats matter? You do that for the regular season not now. Pre-season is time for the young kids to battle each other and earn a spot on the roster. There's a reason why Larry Brown hasn't played any of the Pistons starters more than 20 minutes. One of the reasons why he is the best coach in the NBA. Fact is, there is no real point playing starts heavy minutes. Oh and yes Nate Mcmillian was also stupid for playing Ray so many minutes against L.A in that first game. One of the reasons he may be fired next summer.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">And as far as the block goes...Ray Allen didn't do anything in that game compared to Kobe. He shot 45% in the game, compared to Kobe's 62% or something...and took more shots in less minutes (but only about 3 less minutes) and scored less.
</div>

Should I be impressed Kobe scored more points than Ray Allen in a pre-season game? I could care less. Kobe wanted to prove a point as he always tries to do when facing Ray.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Allen - 10-22 shooting (45% shooting), in 38 minutes, and 4-9 from downtown (44%)

Kobe - 13-21 shooting (62% shooting), in 41 minutes, and 7-13 from downtown (54%)

Ray Allen > Kobe??? No chance.
Today 02:11 PM
</div>

You somehow trying to convince me to think something else? I'm not a groupie like Kobe fans, I know what level Ray Allen is on and where he ranks among the best the NBA has to offer.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting realdealbneal:</div><div class="quote_post">Ray Allen > Kobe??? No chance.</div>

I didn't see anyone say that anywhere in this thread.

I saw all four Sonics-Lakers games last year, I believe that Ray was only there for two of them. He score in the high 20s/low 30s in both. Kobe doesn't really try to shut down elite guards, he just tries to outscore them. I have seen him torched by all notable guards, from the above average guard (Mobley/Finley) to the elite guard (Tmac/Iverson/Allen).

Kobe shot better than Ray in a single preseason game, so now he owns Ray Allen? I have seen Ray torch Kobe many a time, because defensively Kobe does not get up for every game.

 

Realdeal, I don't believe he said Ray is better then Kobe anywhere (I don't think anyone believes that, no matter how big of a Ray Allen fan they are), he's just saying how Kobe fans in general blow Kobe out of proportion by making arrogant and most times, fictional comments, and I have to agree because there are many fans like that.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">
And as far as the block goes...Ray Allen didn't do anything in that game compared to Kobe. He shot 45% in the game, compared to Kobe's 62% or something...and took more shots in less minutes (but only about 3 less minutes) and scored less.

Allen - 10-22 shooting (45% shooting), in 38 minutes, and 4-9 from downtown (44%)

Kobe - 13-21 shooting (62% shooting), in 41 minutes, and 7-13 from downtown (54%)
</div>

Ray Allen drove his team to victory and that's the deciding factor. Though it is pre-season, Ray got the best of Kobe last game as far as a team aspect goes but indivisually, Kobe got the better of him. Down the stretch, Ray performed well. He has played well against Kobe in recent years but I definetly disagree with him being better as well.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">
they won the game so i don't know what's the point of attacking kobe.
</div>

My point exactly. If Kobe had done the same thing, the wolves would start attacking immedietly on Kobe and call him "disrespectful", "show-off" and any other negative things one can come up with. Yet, if Ray Allen does it to Kobe, he's right? There's no wrong about it? Ray is in no position to critisize Kobe's leadership skills when he himself has not proved jack in his years in Seattle. Yes yes, I'm sure there's plenty of excuses fans can come up with but the fact still remains.

I like Ray Allen as a player, he is a decent act on and off the court but lately he's been talking too much. Turning a little bit too much like T-Mac and if that starts happening, I will lose all respects for him off the court for his personaltiy.

 

We don't need to turn this into a Kobe/Allen thread. This isn't the Supersonics forum, either, so this is more about Kobe and the Lakers, and what they need to improve on, than what Ray Allen can do in a game.

The reason Kobe is playing more minutes is because it's an entirely revamped roster. The Sonics and alot of other teams don't have that problem. The Lakers need Kobe to play more minutes because he is the main focus of this team, and they need to develop team chemistry with him (and vice versa) before the start of the regular season. Other fans need to worry about how many minutes their guys are playing, not how many minutes the Lakers' players are.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">huh? kobe is hated "so much" around the league? any proof to this? the only players right now that don't like him is shaq and allen. who else is there that talk trash to kobe? if you based it on basketball fans, i mean "basketball fans". i guess they won't hate kobe as much as non-basketball fans who knows kobe's legal problem. die hard basketball fans know how hard kobe work on the court. fans that don't follow the sports that much wouldn't know how he is and mostly believes in what the tabloid said.</div>

Fans hate him but so do many players, fact is only Allen and Shaq have actually come out to the media and stated so. Many NBA players would love to see him fail. They hate his arrogance, his attuide and all this trial stuff just rounds it all off. Obviously Kobe works hard on the floor, he has a great work ethic. No one can say he isn't a great player.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">how did ray took kobe to school? by scoring three pointers? i don't see that as being schooled. i know that he's a great shooter so it's not new to me if he can score three pointers against kobe or other players. he should school kobe defensively and offensively. however, i doubt it if he can school kobe defensively.
</div>

There were a few plays that came to mind, Ray has a killer crossover and even stole the ball quite easily at mid court. MY point was after that play Allen led his team and could care less about the block and helped his team. Ray is not a great defender, so obivously he isn't going to shut anyone down including Kobe. But Kobe can't shut him down either.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">i don't hate ray but i just didn't like it when he talked trash to kobe after their win. they won the game so i don't know what's the point of attacking kobe.
</div>

Actually reports came to him and asked him what he thought of what Kobe will do this year. I doubt he would go to a reporter demanding to talk down about Kobe.

Now back to the game thread.................

 

Well, like Shaq and Ray Allen both, you never have to make an exact statement, but you can lead to it.

AllNet, you're bashing Kobe just like Ray Allen. There's no reason to come in and talk about how many minutes he's playing, when it should be none of your concern. Plus, the fact that Kobe outperformed Allen in the game, even if it's a preseason game, gives me the right to argue your point of Ray Allen actually "schooling" Kobe, like you claim...because it didn't happen.

Entering Allen's "world without a big man" isn't going to benefit Ray Allen much...because now it's a me-against-you game against quite possibly the best one-on-one player in the NBA, and that's not where Ray Allen wants to be.

Back to the game...the preseason game that doesn't matter I guess.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AllNet:</div><div class="quote_post">Actually reports came to him and asked him what he thought of what Kobe will do this year. I doubt he would go to a reporter demanding to talk down about Kobe.

Now back to the game thread.................</div>

i know but i wasn't expecting him to blow on kobe.

back to the game thread... great preview realdealbneal. i think lakers will win it by 7 i really wanna see odom get into the rhythm before the season starts.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">AllNet, you're bashing Kobe just like Ray Allen. There's no reason to come in and talk about how many minutes he's playing, when it should be none of your concern. Plus, the fact that Kobe outperformed Allen in the game, even if it's a preseason game, gives me the right to argue your point of Ray Allen actually "schooling" Kobe, like you claim...because it didn't happen.</div>

Considering this forum is part of JBB and Its my job to check out threads, I'm obviously going to give my comments when I see fit. Giving Kobe that many minutes is very stupid, any logical fan would agree. I certainly wouldn't want a guy like Tim Duncan or Ben Wallace playing that many minutes. In Kobe's fans minds making one block suddenly means he schooled Ray then I guess Ray hitting a few threes in his face also means kobe got schooled.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Entering Allen's "world without a big man" isn't going to benefit Ray Allen much...because now it's a me-against-you game against quite possibly the best one-on-one player in the NBA, and that's not where Ray Allen wants to be.
</div>

when Ray has faced Kobe...He has won far more one on one battles than he has lost. But again Kobe is more wrapped up on beating Ray one on one than playing with his team-mates.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting realdealbneal:</div><div class="quote_post">Plus, the fact that Kobe outperformed Allen in the game, even if it's a preseason game, gives me the right to argue your point of Ray Allen actually "schooling" Kobe, like you claim...because it didn't happen.</div>

Homey, you are helping prove the point that Ray Allen made.

Kobe can score 100 points, but if they lose it proves that he can't lead a team. Ray scored 10 less points, but his team won the game. Allen Iverson can outscore a lot of people, but the media is constantly questioning his leadership right? Same with Tmac, even though he was 1st in scoring last year. Did Tmac prove leadership last year?

I have heard Tmac say that he would rather score 5 points and win than score 50 and lose. I have heard other big players make similar statements. I have never heard anything of the like come out of Kobe's mouth. Besides, if you look at the rosters, there is no reason that the Lakers shouldn't be handling the Sonics with ease, especially while Shard is not playing.

Outplaying someone individully doesn't get you any credit unless you are playing at Rucker.