nexxus...keep posting like this, because people will read it. First, on your comments about Odom, I agree...and I stress this again and again...that we need to find a starting PF, even if that means trading away Butler. Jumaine Jones does great coming off the bench, so he'd be nice to have behind Odom in the rotation (so would Caron, but still). The young players will eventually adapt to Rudy T's style (whatever that is, I'm in the dark right now). It'll take a year, maybe more, before they start to click...but I think it'll be well worth it, because in those couple of years, we can be an elite West team once again, and may find ourselves back in the Finals. The fourth quarter isn't supposed to be just about Kobe...but that's just the way the cookie crumbles (thanks for that line, Jim Carrey). Bryant doesn't have a choice...but I'd rather see him drop 25 in the fourth and us barely lose, than throw 25 passes (but only two assists) and us get blown away because nobody can make a shot. Criticism will follow Kobe no matter what he does... Our problem on defense is the help that we have to provide for our weak spots on the court...which leaves guys open. Plus, we can't prevent second chance points if our life depended on it, so that's another issue. I'm not losing hope in our team...but I don't expect our team to win 82 games, either. Most of my predictions have been positive, but that's just to get everyone amped for the game. Now that we're 1/4 of the way into it, my predictions may be a bit more accurate as far as who's going to come away with the victory...but that doesn't mean I'm losing hope.
<div align="center"> <font color="purple">Los Angeles Lakers</font> (12-9) @ <font color="black">Sacramento Kings</font> (15-6) Date: Thursday, December 16th Time: 7:30 PM TV: TNT Previous Games: Lakers @ Sonics 108 - 93 (LOSS) Kings @ Bucks 89 - 86 (WIN) Projected Starting Lineups <font size="1">(Rudy Tomjanovich)</font> C - <font color="Purple">Chris Mihm</font> (11.6 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 0.4 APG) PF - <font color="Purple">Lamar Odom</font> (14.1 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 2.7 APG) SF - <font color="Purple">Caron Butler</font> (13.2 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 1.4 APG) SG - <font color="Purple">Kobe Bryant</font> (27.1 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 6.8 APG) PG - <font color="Purple">Chucky Atkins</font> (10.3 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 3.6 APG) <font size="4">VS</font> <font size="1">(Rick Adelman)</font> C - Brad Miller (15.4 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 3.5 APG) PF - Chris Webber (20.5 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 5.3 APG) SF - Peja Stojakovic (20.0 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 1.9 APG) SG - Doug Christie (7.4 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 4.7 APG) PG - Mike Bibby (16.0 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 6.1 APG) Factors off the Bench <font size="1">(Brian Cook, Bobby Jackson)</font> Game MVPs LAKERS - <font color="purple">Kobe Bryant</font> Predicted Stats: 28 points, 10 rebounds, 9 assists KINGS - <font color="black">Mike Bibby</font> Predicted Stats: 24 points, 4 rebounds, 11 assists</div> Brandon's Analysis The Lakers remember November 26th. That?s right?check your calendar?where us true Laker fans wrote down the following: Kings visit STAPLES and get destroyed. However, it wasn?t pretty?and as much as we wanted the Lakers to come in and pick apart the Kings? weaknesses, it didn?t happen. Since then, it?s been the same story?with Kobe posting great stats (aside from shooting percentage) and the rest of the team resembles an expansion team. Tonight, the Lakers are going to have to pull it together and not only play team basketball, but also have good individual performances as well. Against the Sonics, the Lakers (without Kobe) shot under 35% (20 of 58, to be exact), while Kobe hit over 50% of his attempts. Let?s not forget to mention Rashard Lewis, who took over the game and dominated Caron Butler for 37 points. Nothing more than a poor performance by the Lakers, even if it is against one of the best teams in the Western Conference. In Sacramento, the Lakers are going to have to break free of the ball and chain they?ve been carrying around on defense, because the Kings can (and more than likely will) put up 100+ points against Los Angeles. The matchup advantages lean more towards the Kings?with Bibby, Miller, and possibly Peja clearly able to outplay their Laker opponents (especially if Peja gets hot from beyond the arc). Kobe will take advantage of Christie?s injury (ironically, the same foot problems that Kobe is suffering from), and Odom should play well against Webber offensively. On the boards, Mihm needs to get tough immediately. Lamar won?t be able to make up for Miller?s boards, so Chris needs to gain position and use his size to pull down more than 8 boards in this game. Otherwise, the Kings will capitalize on second chance points, which could lead to more than just a Miller putback (in other words, watch for a wandering Peja for three). This goes for the offensive glass as well, for the Lakers. Mihm should focus on throwing it down hard when he pulls down an offensive board (or anytime he goes up for an attempt) instead of making a soft shot off the glass?he?s got the strength, but it seems like he?s scared to use it. One last factor in this game will be the Lakers? mindset going into Sacramento. Hopefully, the Lakers come out firing and wanting this game. Kobe and Divac should be focusing on getting the others amped in the locker room?ready to come out and shut up the Kings fans. Whether this lasts for four quarters?we?ll see. Brandon's Prediction It?s always nice to predict a Laker win and, at the same time, believe it?ll happen?but I don?t know about this game. The Kings are tough?and are definitely looking at demolishing our very own Lakers in Sac-town?but more than that, the Kings want the Pacific title. In Sacramento, the fans will burn Kobe all game, and the entire team could be affected by this?but I see the Kings being aggressive from the start, and running up and down the court all game. If Kobe gets a triple double, the Lakers win by two?but I?m going to lean towards Kobe dropping less than 10 assists due to poor shooting by Butler and Atkins, and the Lakers lose this game to the Kings in Sacramento, 103 - 99.
Tonight,I am so looking forward to this game.Everytime that my Kings play the Lakers,it's not just a game,it's a war.tonight i expect no different,as if this game is going to be anything like the last game at staples,than expect a true classic I Wish the Lakers the best of luck tonight. <font color="Purple">Go Kings</font>
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Kobe 8 Ball:</div><div class="quote_post">I dont think so, if anything it would be on FSN as well as TNT...</div> well, road games are usually on KCAL ... but sometimes it's not when it's on TNT ...
I think it is on KCAL when it's also on ESPN, but when on TNT it aint. My prediction is a no contest, knock out in the 1st half, Bibby will abuse Chucky, and Webber handles Lamar "O-damn he aint nothin". Kobe goes for 40 with another L. Kings - 104 Lakers - 89
The Lakers are just playing horrid ball right now and I dont see anything getting better. We couldnt hold it with the Sonics, we couldnt beat the Kings at home this year, I dont see how we will beat them on the road. Kings- 106 Lakers- 91
I like it, two die hard Laker fans give their views and thoughts on the game. Real Deal makes previews for all Laker games at another forum, so if he has them made, why not just post them up here?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Emo:</div><div class="quote_post">What's the purpose of two previews if I already made one?</div> Yeah, Kobe 8 Ball pretty much said it. Your previews are great...in my opinion, your analysis for each preview is much better than mine...and you obviously have better predictions...but that's not why I post mine. It's just that if I didn't have a preview, I'd post a bunch of paragraphs on the game anyways...so I figure since I have a preview for every single game, I'll post it. If you don't want me to do that, it's fine man. No problem with me.
Not that I had a problem with it, just wondering since it's the first time it's ever been done in this type of format. Perhaps a new idea for game threads Real Deal?
Kobe playing great, as well as Odom and Atkins. Lakers are hanging in there...nice transitions, average defense, great offense...and nice ball distribution. I love it.
Good 1st quater. Odom is looking good drove to the basket, Chucky too, 4-5, KB with 5ast and a SICK dunk. GO JOB LAKERS!!! keep it up!!
great half by lakers shootin 57 % =o besides the turnovers, everything seems arite to me..im goin to bed..i hope lakers dont get carried away with 3 pointers and win this game ! go lakers !
DAMN, I come home from ciscos and come home to this, this rocks. GOOOoOOOooo LAKERS! Keep playing great! ODOM WE NEED THIS OUT OF YOU EVERY NIGHT!!!~!!! Also The TNT annoucers are ripping the czar arnt they haha.
Wow, we should play like this all year, I might have to change around my game preview for tomorrow night...Keep it up guys, dont fall off in the 4th
Man, I just got home and caught the score...I'm shocked ...too bad I don't have cable to watch the rest of the game...lets not choke!!!
woot! This is the kind of games I love! Odom and Bryant both having great games! Today was ownage from beginning to end!
