<div align="center"> </div> <div align="center"><font color="Purple">Los Angeles Lakers </font> <font color="Purple">(12-9)</font> @ <font color="Black">Sacramento Kings </font> <font color="Black">(15-6)</font> </div> <div align="center">Time: 7:30 p.m. PT Location: Arco Arena TV: TNT, National TV</div> Season Series: 11/26/04 @ Los Angeles: Kings 109, Lakers 106 Previous Games: Lakers @ Sonics 108-93 (Loss) Kings @ Bucks 89-86 (Win) Last 10 Games: Lakers 6-4 (Lost 1) Kings 8-2 (Won 2) Head Coaches: Rudy Tomjanovich/Rick Adelman Probable Starters: Chucky Atkins/Mike Bibby Kobe Bryant/Doug Christie Caron Butler/Peja Stojakovic Lamar Odom/Chris Webber Chris Mihm/Brad Miller Sixth Men Brian Cook/Bobby Jackson Injury Report Lakers Brian Grant Devean George Tony Bobbitt Kings No injuries to report* <div align="center">Players To Watch </div> <div align="center">Kobe Bryant & Mike Bibby</div> <div align="center">Bryant: 27.1, 7.60 rebs, 6.8 assists, 1.19 steals Bibby: 16.0 pts, 4.60 rebs, 6.1 assists, 1.38 steals </div> <u>Emo's Laker Analysis</u> Laker Team Ball: I don't know what it is with Western Conference opponents nowadays, but if you toss out our wins against the Houston Rockets, and the Los Angeles Clippers game last week, we just don't rise to the challenge of playing with a broader sense of urgency, matching intensity, and the ability to play as a unit on the basketball court no matter at home or away. When I watch our Lakers in action, and I'm sure others will agree with me, it just looks like Kobe can't trust his teammates to develop their games, which forces himself to do everything on his own time after time, and we end up losing critical basketball games due to poor team contributions if you throw Kobe's own stats out the window. Now here we are, heading into our rival's backyard, and 21 games into the regular season, we're still frantically searching for our true identities in the mirrior. If the Lakers have any pride after the sour taste in their mouths from that disgusting loss back on November 26th, we have to show not only those guys we dispise on the other end of the floor, we have to show some heart in ourselves, and play like a team that can definitely do some damage in the months to come. I'm tried of sluggish spectators-that-watch-Kobe Laker basketball. All 12 guys need to come out to play and show a statement. The Concepts Of Shooting: Disgraceful just to look at another horrific shooting night in the boxscores following the loss up in the Pacific Northwest. Kobe has been picking up his game since his dismal efforts from the field in previous weeks, but our supporting cast is just like a faucet. You turn the dial to HOT, and sometimes we praise our guys with their All-Star like performances on shooting from the field, you turn the HOT dial off, and switch it to COLD, they basically look like a CBA squad. Enough with this nonsense. 39% shooting as a team isn't going to cut it. Especially with a team like the Kings who'll just capitalize on each and every Laker miss, and either use their transition to jumpstart, or basically pop a trey to get the Arco fans going. Either close to 50% shooting, or we can say hello to our 10th loss. Rebound Hunger We're going head to a head with a frontcourt that has more muscle inside than we do, and I can't criticize Mihm and Odom's rebounding techniques, they've been decent. But in order to beat a top Western Conference, it's all about crashing the boards like a pack of hungry wolves, boxing out thoroughly, and giving our teams second chance opportunities for new possessions. Nothing fancy, have the willingness and heart to get to the ball, and I won't complain ONE bit. Turnover Ratios Maybe I haven't been keeping up with our turnover ratios, but has there been a game in which we haven't acheived double digits in turnovers recently? Everybody tomorrow night needs to get in sync with our offense. We need to be alert, efficient, consistent, and absolutely NOT make turnovers that just kill us physically and mentally. Tenacious Laker Defense The basic fundamental of a winning basketball team. If the Lakers ever want to even be considered a playoff contending team, all 12 guys need to play defense. In our last four games, we're averaging 101.5 points given up against our opponents. We're facing the second best offensive scoring machine in the Kings averaging 102.4 points a game. The task is simple fellas. Don't allow them to get easy shots, FORCE them to EARN everything from the field. If it means giving a hard foul as whoever penetrates to the hoop, let it be. Just as long as it sends a statement that it's gonna be a rough, physical jungle. Lamar Odom *SIGH* So when will it be time once we see you teaming up with Kobe leading the offense? I'm still waiting for an offensive breakout game. <u>Emo's Laker Prediction 12/16/04</u> I won't beat around the bush with this one. The Kings win by a distant 10 points. Since the Kings started the season on a rough note, they learned the concept of team basketball, and have played fanstastic ever since. Our Lakers however, in my opinion, just allow ridiculous DRAMA (i.e. Kobe, Karl, Vanessa) and that stupid excuse of spending more time to recognize their identities of not going out there and playing quality Laker basketball in which they are capable of for 48 minutes total. No heart whatsoever.
Like i said on the Kings board...this Lakers-Kings matchup at Arco will be closely contested,and it's going to go down to the wire. Kobe will have another outstanding game,but it won't be enough to get a win over the Kings.as our boys,Bibby,Miller,Peja,and Webber will prove to be a bit much at the end of the game. Kings 102 Lakers 100
Is kobe still playing basketball?, isn't he a regular in broadway's soap operas? if so i think lamar odom should take over
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting drm2dnk:</div><div class="quote_post">Is kobe still playing basketball?, isn't he a regular in broadway's soap operas? if so i think lamar odom should take over</div> you realize your posting unneccessary comments that no one really cares about? just annoys me how your a kobe hater
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting drm2dnk:</div><div class="quote_post">Is kobe still playing basketball?, isn't he a regular in broadway's soap operas? if so i think lamar odom should take over</div> If you want to post in a game thread, contribute. Otherwise, don't post. It's one thing to say that Lamar should take over this game...but it's another thing to come in here posting unnecessary comments. I've edited your posts, PM'ed you about it, warned you, etc. Why is it so hard to intelligently contribute to a different team forum?
Im going to say something totally the opposite of other Lakers fan here. Lakers win 3 Most people have seen the Movie Space Jam with MJ. If you have you must remember this line:' I have faith im my team'. Situation: The Big green giant are the Kings. Everybody think they will win this because they are big. MJ representing us the Lakers. Out numbered on this but still come out with a win. I know that people gonna say that I must be high or something. Remember that I live in Holland(land of the legal weed) but its not like that. I have a more clear head right now than ever and have faith in my team. The lakers will come out with a win.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting theclown1:</div><div class="quote_post">I know that people gonna say that I must be high or something. Remember that I live in Holland(land of the legal weed)</div> Land of the legal weed. I got a kick out of that one. LOL
Since the Kings are at arco, ill take them in this one.Its true the kings HAD played great but their last 3 games have been far from impressive.However those games were on the road so maybe being at home will inspire some decent play.Kings win 102-97.
just when we're ready to bury this team, they surprise us laker fans, kinda like the end of the movie Carrie! the Quings have all five starters back, sixthman, and coach and should be the best team in the Pacific, you have no idea how much I hate to say it but it's true, but somehow, Cook hits a three at the buzzer and Lakers win 89-88.
Of course this is always a game to watch. The Kings are probaly the more complete team, and they have more deph and experience then the Lakers do. But you can never count Kobe out who could pour 45 points on you any given night. If the Lakers want to win its going to be tough, Arco is always packed and it will be extra loud for the rival Lakers. Kobe is going to need a solid game from his supporting cast, or the Kings will prevail.
This contest will be a good one at arco. It is not what it used to be over the last couple of years, because neither of them are at the top of the division, but when ever the Lakers and Kings play each other it is a game to watch. Kobe Bryant should look to get his teammates involved early. He needs to learn to pass the ball early to open up the defense force them not to double team so much. I think at this point what seperates Kobe from the greats of Lakers past West, Magic, and other greats from the history of the NBA MJ, DR. J, etc is that they knew they did not have to dominate the game the entire 48 minutes, but get there teammates involved and then later in the game start to take over. This is one of the reasons Kobe is always worn out when fourth quarter comes. Last game the team shot .395 from the field with Kobe shooting 50% from the field with a team high 5 assists. I think that he did not do enough to spread the court early and get his teammates open shots he either took the shot (although most went in) or passed to the same player. I think he really needs to pass the ball more then shoot the first half this game for his team to be successful, and I mean pass it to every one of the team to get everyone involved because as a leader that is one of his jobs. I think if Kobe does do this the Lakers ahve a good chance of pulling out a close win. Now if he does not do this and Odom does not do a good job at least on the defensive end guarding Webber the Lakers will lose this game, because the Kings ave a very good passing team and will get easy buckets because there players know how to move without the ball. I also think the WHOLE Lakers team needs to start passing more I mean a total of 12 assists last game shows that they had bad ball movement and settled for the J to many times. They need to be more efficent with passing, forcing turnovers, and shot selection. Or I take the Kings by 10.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting drm2dnk:</div><div class="quote_post">Is kobe still playing basketball?, isn't he a regular in broadway's soap operas? if so i think lamar odom should take over</div> umm if your going to start pulling cheap shots out of the trash ban does how does not making the play offs sound to you, cuz Rockets are on there way their way there.
lol at theclown1, i like your Space Jam analogy. im gonna go w/ the lakers by 4 points. hopefully they will put up a better perfomance than last night
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting thisbejgz:</div><div class="quote_post">you realize your posting unneccessary comments that no one really cares about? just annoys me how your a kobe hater </div> Whats new???? Lakers by 6.
Kobe is such a ballhog... geez kobe just pass the ball geez you fpwnedballhog. Wait. Oh my god! Kobe is averaging more assists per game than Mike Bibby, who is the POINT FUASLKAKLJSACVKSJF GUARD to the Kings, who, by the way have been considered a very good passing team for a while now. Anyways... I'm not sure if the Lakers are going to win this, but I think we can. If Kobe continues to shoot decent and as he has been doing all season long, keep up with the agressiveness in rebounds and asisst... and Odom gets of his crack ass and plays some ball, I mean, make some layups... In short, as long as Kobe isn't doing everything himself, and as long as he doesn't try to completely (as in 100%) take over the game in the fourth quarter and he is willing to have confidence in his teammates to make shots when most needed (which he usually does... wtf is wrong with people)... and uhm, Mihm needs to grab some rebounds. Caron Butler doing his job... then yeah... I mean... he does get payed millions. I take the Lakers by 5. This will be a close game, and even though the Kings will have the lead for most of the game... the Lakers won't lose confidence, and we'll come back and hold onto the victory by some clutch shots by Kobe and Caron.
Lakers arent going to beat the kings, : Kobes great but then Lamar is pathetic, Butlers in a slump, Mihm cant get rebounds and always gets in foul trouble, and Chucky sucks. Kings win by 16
Lakers arent going to beat the kings, : Kobes great but then Lamar is pathetic, Butlers in a slump, Mihm cant get rebounds and always gets in foul trouble, and Chucky sucks. Kings win by 16
k fine, I think the main reasons odom's not playin well this season is cuz he's lost all of his confidence, last year wade wasn't such a big impact in miami and Odom felt like the best on the team, but now he's playing with Kobe, and he sees Kobe as a superior to his game so he feels like just another average player. Also there's the fact that he isn't playing as a sf, he learnt everything about a sf and now he's declined from his natural position, we have to let him play sf and get his confidence up, once his confidence is a bit higher, he'll feel like a possible best of the team and will try and push harder, once odom plays like a pro, we'll win. Odom isn't the only guy who should play, obviously all the young guns will drastically improve next year BUT there's still a big possibility of them improving adequately, this season, firstly they also have to gain a bit of confidence, they already are quite confident but they need to show more emotion, Kobe is emotional and that's good cuz if he's emotional then the other's feel him and join in. But sometimes, they do feel left out, even though Kobe does many passes, they all feel so minor because of the great stats comparison, atkins should be the play maker to stop kobe wearing out. About the fourth quarter, this is the point when kobe becomes the selfish player where his teammates are lost, I think chuky should really step up in this quarter and become the final quarter saver, by doing all the passes, he should play like Ginobili did in the final quarter of their match against the Giants (or at least try his best), Kobe just wears out by the 4th and even though he tries his best he can't do that much. Mihm should step his blocking game and offensive rebounding game up tonight. As for butler, he's just not playing right, TBH I'd rather just put Odom in his position and cook in pf or something. On defense we've earned a reputation of taking the lead by over 8 points and then losing the lead in less than 5 minutes, this should really stop. Never give a free shot and get all the defensive rebounds, afterall you're much better positioned than the offense right? K finally for all us fans out there, DON'T LOSE HOPE, if you guys lose hope then how the hell will out team keep faith? We cheer them on and we're not gonna betray them by giving up all the hope, personally, I think this will be a tough fought game but if we play well, we'll take the lead in the beginning of the 4th quarter and we aren't gonna lose it, we'll also win the match of letting the opposition score over 100, I think the final score will be 113-110 to LA. (hey i did quite a long preview, bet over half of you guys won't even bother reading anything after the 2nd paragraph)
