Washington Wizards @ LA Lakers Preseason Preview

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<font color="Blue">Washington Wizards </font> (3-4) @ <font color="Purple">Los Angeles Lakers </font> (5-2)

Thursday, October 28th
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Location: Oklahoma City (Ford Center)
TV: KCAL

Previous Games:
Sonics @ Lakers 117-91 W
Wizards @ Bulls 100-95 L

Projected Starting Lineups
WIZARDS

<font size="1">(Eddie Jordan)</font>

<font size="1">(Gilbert Arenas, Larry Hughes, Jarvis Hayes, Samaki Walker, Brendan Haywood)</font>
<font size="4">VS</font>
LAKERS

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

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

Factors off the Bench

<font size="1">(Juan Dixon, Brian Grant)</font>

Game MVPs

<font size="1">(Gilbert Arenas, Lamar Odom)</font></div>

Brandon's Analysis
The Wizards could be without Michael Ruffin this game (due to the fight on Monday), and also Kwame Brown, Etan Thomas and Antawn Jamison. The frontcourt should have an easy game, being up against Haywood and Walker.

The fight for the last roster spot and who's sitting on the IR will be at a crucial stage in this game, as all four guards will be tested against Gilbert Arenas. Bobbitt's defense and Brown's slashing may be the best aspects that these PG's will bring to the game, yet Vujacic may have a good shooting night also. Atkins has been more of a disappointment than a showstopper, so hopefully he'll have one stellar game to prove that he's starting material and worth the near $5 million this year.

Larry Hughes may have more than just a problem on defense against Kobe. Bryant is known for his defense just as well as Hughes is for shooting too many jumpers, so look for Kobe to dominate on both sides of the ball in this game.

Odom's success will be measured by his rebounds and assists in this game. Against Jarvis, Odom literally buries him in the statistical category, and even has a near 4 inch advantage in height. Odom's passing abilities are going to have to shine tonight, because penetrations won't be accomplished by the point guards in this game (unless Brown plays, but he's more selfish)...so Odom will have to step up to the plate and take that role.

Brian Cook should see minutes in this game, also...along with Grant. Neither will have trouble against Samaki, yet Walker will be able to body Cook in the paint a few times...but look for Mihm to send his shot into the crowd.

Brandon's Prediction
This should be an easy game for the Lakers...more of a chance to let the guards play and fight for the roster spot, and let Sasha prove himself and show why he should be on the active roster. Odom should dump in 15 points and pull down 8 boards...with Kobe sitting and letting Rush run around Hughes for a while. Lakers win this...108-82.

 

In my opinion I think Rudy should start Bobitt and Brown at PG and SG to see how they do starting game, I think that would help him decide his decision. Have them play the 1st quarter and than go from there, Kobe goes in the rest of the game if you need it but I will doubt because frankly Wizards don't look that strong but who knows.

Man I forgot about Samaki, he ended up in Washington, when did he get traded or not signs from the lakers. Kind of sad but I didn't even notice he was gone haha.

 

Since this is the final preseason game, it's a time for Rudy T to play the starters no better than 15-20 minutes tomorrow night, and allow an opportunity for players that are trying to make the active roster all the playing time neccessary. Guys like Tony Bobbitt and Tierre Brown. I'd also be hoping for a consistent game by Sasha too. He's been on the downside lately, so he'd really need to pick himself up to prove to his coaching staff that he can someday start on this franchise.

Neil Yanke, Jerry Dupree, Ike Nwankwo, and Nate Johnson? It may be their final 48 minutes in a newly-minted Laker uniform, but I wish them the best that they'll give everything they have, and leave everything on the court.

Opening Night November 2nd against the Denver Nuggets. I'm fired up and ready to go.

 

Sasha is doing great

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Emo:</div><div class="quote_post"> I'd also be hoping for a consistent game by Sasha too. He's been on the downside lately, so he'd really need to pick himself up to prove to his coaching staff that he can someday start on this franchise.

Neil Yanke, Jerry Dupree, Ike Nwankwo, and Nate Johnson? It may be their final 48 minutes in a newly-minted Laker uniform, but I wish them the best that they'll give everything they have, and leave everything on the court.

Opening Night November 2nd against the Denver Nuggets. I'm fired up and ready to go.</div>

Too late, Dupree has already been released, and Sasha had eight assists the last game, remember when he's out there in preseason, it's either with Kobe or one of the B boys and he is not going to get off too many shots. He's doing just fine for a 20 year old who's never played a minute of regular season in the NBA. What about the power forward position, will we have enough minutes for Odom, Grant and Cook let alone if Malone comes back?

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting whatthef?:</div><div class="quote_post">Too late, Dupree has already been released, and Sasha had eight assists the last game, remember when he's out there in preseason, it's either with Kobe or one of the B boys and he is not going to get off too many shots. He's doing just fine for a 20 year old who's never played a minute of regular season in the NBA. What about the power forward position, will we have enough minutes for Odom, Grant and Cook let alone if Malone comes back? </div>

I didn't hear about Dupree's releasing since he's still on Lakers.com as part of the player roster. Sasha might have had eight assists in his last game against Seattle, but his defense needs tweaking, always getting beat off the dribble at the top of the key, and his game from the outside needs improvements as well. The only positives I see coming from the kid is he's a very energetic guy, loves to get out in transition, loves to push the ball up the court, and maintain the tempo.

I still think our forward positions are still a tossup. Caron Butler is impressing me. He could be a lock for the small forward position. Lamar Odom, even though he has been very erratic in terms of his outside shooting, his inside post presence and rebounding establishment will be tremendously huge for us, maybe our starting power forward. Chris Mihm has also been a plus in my opinion. I like his aggressive style in the paint, battling in the low post, and his double-digit scoring. I feel he could start at center because the way I see things with Divac, that "35 year old body" is now coming to threaten the remainder of his career with the ruptured disc in his back, and I'm a big fan of youth. Cook should be our main man coming off the bench with his astonishing display of perimeter shooting, and Brian Grant will also be coming off the bench although his rebounding contributing will be a definite difference maker.

I don't think Malone will return. If he's taking this long to make a decision about his future, and putting this franchise on hold, what's the point of us having patience with him? I'm sure by the finale of this preseason, our team chemistry should be fully developed, and we'd be ready to go by November 2nd.

 

Neil Yanke and Jerry Dupree have both been cut, since Saturday actually.

EDIT: Also, Nate Johnson and Ike Nwankwo were cut today lol

I've updated the roster thread I made...the one that was renamed to something about "realdealbneal's thoughts" and put as a sticky.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">This should be an easy game for the Lakers...more of a chance to let the guards play and fight for the roster spot, and let Sasha prove himself and show why he should be on the active roster. Odom should dump in 15 points and pull down 8 boards...with Kobe sitting and letting Rush run around Hughes for a while. Lakers win this...108-82.</div>
If everyone is out to play except Kwame of course, I don't see how it will be an easy game, the Wizards aren't a pushover team, even without the two front men, Arenas, Hayes and Dixon could cause some havoc.

If the Lakers younger guards are out there to prove themselves then this might not be the greatest game to do so as Hughes, Dixon and Arenas combine for one of the most steals in a backcourt on a regular basis, just last game, Arenas had 7 steals.

If you don't protect the ball, expect it to get stolen because Arenas will gamble a lot, this should be an interesting matchup, if Kwame and Jamison were playing, the Wizards could possibly slip one out.


Also Hughes is actually known as being a good, tough and agressive defender, the only problem is that he's not strong, so he's not an easy matchup for other SG's unless they overpower him which Kobe can do.

 

og15...the reason I say this is an easy game is because Gilbert Arenas is the only player that has the advantage in his matchup against the Lakers. Jamison and Kwame are both out...and a couple of guys could be missing the game due to the fight against Chicago (Ruffin and someone else...could be Hughes for the intentional push). But...Jarvis Hayes won't get the best of Odom tonight, and neither will Hughes. Then you have Samaki "Stonehands" Walker and Brendan Haywood against Mihm and Grant/Cook...which is a no-contest considering how well those three are playing for LA right now.

 

og15...the reason I say this is an easy game is because Gilbert Arenas is the only player that has the advantage in his matchup against the Lakers. Jamison and Kwame are both out...and a couple of guys could be missing the game due to the fight against Chicago (Ruffin and someone else...could be Hughes for the intentional push). But...Jarvis Hayes won't get the best of Odom tonight, and neither will Hughes. Then you have Samaki "Stonehands" Walker and Brendan Haywood against Mihm and Grant/Cook...which is a no-contest considering how well those three are playing for LA right now.

 

Actually Haywood is averaging 11 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks in 28 minutes for the Wizards right now, I don't see Mihm having an edge over him at all, they're basically producing exactly the same.

Samaki Walker is garbage, I have nothing to say about that, but won't Hayes be going against Caron Butler, he can definately get a good battle in there agianst him. Samaki against Odom is a joke, Arenas should beat on those younger guys and though I hate on Dixon, A LOT, he's one annoying guy to play against with those long arms.

Hughes can do decent, he can't matchup to KB, but he can get his own, and Peeler is a guy that can do some damage with his jumper, after that their's no one really....

Jared Jefferies still doesn't look impressive, still looking like a hustle guy, but at least he's getting on the boards

I say the Lakers by 10, they close out the game in the 3rd quarter with a run the Wiz can't recover from.

 

Hughes betetr not push rush into Kobe lol I dont think Lamar would be too happy haha.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TheNextJordan8:</div><div class="quote_post">Hughes betetr not push rush into Kobe lol I dont think Lamar would be too happy haha.</div>
Well, Hughes would have to collide with him in the air...but then again, he'd probably just bounce off his arm. jk jk

On a serious note...Kobe can't afford to miss any games due to suspensions...but Jumaine Jones can, and he'll throw down with Hughes.

 

Yha he look like are Mark Madsen type Player for this year.

 

My thoughts on this game:
Lakers by at least 10.

Mihm will have a edge over Haywood and not cause of his own game but the helping hand of the other players. I think the feed to Mihm is much better so this will give him the edge.

 

Id just like to say Im doing the security for this game and i get to see it for free

but IMO if the Wizards can shut Kobe down(like it will happen) and get the ball to Areanas and Jamisoin alot they acutually will have a chance in this game.

Lakers by 6

 

It's preseason, it's unpredictable as your wife's temper. Kobe may play 12 or 35 minutes again, but it's closing in on the real season, so I think the main 5 guys will be out for the Lakers at the same time for major minutes. We need to see how good is the chemistry... Lakers win by 12 points.

 

i think the wizards are going to be able to pull a upset here. I mean both teams are fastbreak oriented. Which comes form good solid defense, the key factor that both of these teams are based upon to get there wins.

i think this will be a very interesting and closer game than an easy win for the lakers. I think antawn Jamison is going to be a big factor.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TheNextJordan8:</div><div class="quote_post">Yha he look like are Mark Madsen type Player for this year.</div>
Don't compare Jumaine Jones to Mark Madsen ever again, please, Jumaine Jones actually has skills, he's not just some hustle bug, he can shoot, very good rebounder, and is a good defender, underatted player.

Also with all these people talking about Jamison, I thought he wasn't playing? Unless he's doing all this from the sidelines.

 

Yeah...if someone can prove to me that Jamison is playing, please do.

 

Guys who say the Wizards will beat the Lakers are being a little to optimistic. If the wizards even get close, Kobe will go in and get the game heating up go on a ten-zero run and that will be it. Pull Kobe out and let the fighting pgs for the last roster spot go for it.

MHO, i think this game will decide who gets side between Brown-Bobbit, Whoever does the best and I don't think the Lakers should look at the points categories but the other 2, Assists and Steals. Whoever does better in those 2 should get the spot you know.