Game #12: Los Angeles Lakers (6-5) @ Sacramento Kings (2-8)

[LAKERMANIA]

That's the D Antoni system. No defense. Better get use to it guys

Yeah it wasn't because our guys just weren't playing defense, D'antoni told them not to play any defense. Got it.

[Mr_Jones]

Lol. Yeah, ok. I've heard that before but I watch the games. My statement stands. Kobe is solid at running the pick and roll (shooting great and making the pass well to the open player) as a wing player but this team needs to be more than solid or they are going to continue to struggle.

I would really like to see both Kobe and Nash run the pick and roll when Nash is back. It gives two different looks.

**** facts and statistics, I'm gonna go off of what I feel.

[Lakers Ghost]

Yeah it wasn't because our guys just weren't playing defense, D'antoni told them not to play any defense. Got it.

Lakers were tire from playing back to back thats all plus running a lot in the new system doesnt help either.

[Big Moves03]

This team has been playing relatively well since brown was fired. Defense is not the problem, we played pretty strong defense against a borderline elite team in the nets. The problem in last nights game is that outside of kobe artest, and meeks no one seemed to play with much energy. This was likely due to us getting a nice win the night before and relaxing, also the fact that it was the kings didn't help because we likely overlooked them, and the back-to-back doesn't help either. Also, the bench will be fine. Meeks is an excellent shooter and shot maker. He will get lots of open looks and will eventually start knocking them down as he did last night. Jamison has shown some signs of coming around and probably will (we've only played 12 games so far). Morris has shown he can be a nice guy off the bench and blake was/is decent. Once nash and blake return we will likely see some blake and morris at the 2 and kobe may play some 3 with meeks at the 2 as well. Piatrus would be a nice addition though.

[Big Moves03]

Dwight possibly upset about only getting 4 shots. Don't even know who to blame. Kobe took 19 and made 11 of them (58%).

Well it was mostly dwight's fault, he had no energy out there. But it's understandable given that he's still playing himself into shape and his back is likely still not fully recovered from the surgery.

[still1ballin]

Yeah it wasn't because our guys just weren't playing defense, D'antoni told them not to play any defense. Got it.

Look at D'Antonis past teams. Look at their defense stats. The guy doesn't preach defense. Simple as that. His system is to outscore the opposition.

Defense wins championships and has been proven by past champions. Are we a defensive caliber team? No. My expectations are really low now D'Antoni is running the show. Do I honestly think they will win a championship? Nope, but I hope they prove me wrong and eat my words.

[Pluvious]

**** facts and statistics, I'm gonna go off of what I feel.

I really have to waste my time looking up stats for something that is obvious? Fine. He is averaging just over 5 assists and almost 4 turnovers per game. And he's handling the ball almost exclusively as the facilitator in the for the offense. That is a very poor assist/turnover ratio.

As I said Kobe is great at getting shots for himself and he's been a very willing passer. However, as a facilitator he is hit and miss. He can do it and will have some good games but its not his strength. Are we really going to argue this? Again, it is pretty obvious.

The problem is not Kobe. However, when the energy level is low or the Lakers play a tougher defensive team you will see the Lakers struggle more on offense. Luckily the Lakers have played primarily poor defensive teams at home. Only Kobe and Howard are guys that can get their own shot consistently (and Howard has been hit/miss with this) so the facilitator/creator role is really key for the other guys. Including the bench, Artest, and Gasol. right positions you would not see the struggles

[Pluvious]

^^ I watch games too. To say that Kobe's "marginally" good at running the pick and roll's an understatement.

Not what I said. My stance is Kobe is great at getting his shots off the pick and roll but only "ok" at getting it to his teamates in a position where they will succeed off of it. You disagree with that?

[Chavacano]

Not what I said. My stance is Kobe is great at getting his shots off the pick and roll but only "ok" at getting it to his teamates in a position where they will succeed off of it. You disagree with that?

^^ Yep.

[Pluvious]

^^ Yep.

Ok. No reason to bring Nash back then if Kobe can handle the pick and roll facilitator duties at a high level. Kobe is bigger and a better scorer so might as well have the pg be a defensive player/spot up shooter.

[Chavacano]

Ok. No reason to bring Nash back then if Kobe can handle the pick and roll facilitator duties at a high level. Kobe is bigger and a better scorer so might as well have the pg be a defensive player/spot up shooter.

^^ Did I pull some string of yours? Because you seem mad.

The reason Nash was brought here was to alleviate Kobe of his facilitator role so that he can focus more on scoring. Nash is, no doubt, better at running the pick and roll better but that doesn't mean Kobe can't run it at a high level too as evidenced by his recent play and stats to further back it up.

[futureman]

Dwight Howard only got 4 shots in the last game. If this doesn't change, this could get ugly.

[curtcocaine]

^^ Did I pull some string of yours? Because you seem mad.

The reason Nash was brought here was to alleviate Kobe of his facilitator role so that he can focus more on scoring. Nash is, no doubt, better at running the pick and roll better but that doesn't mean Kobe can't run it at a high level too as evidenced by his recent play and stats to further back it up.

With nash in dwight go look like dwight

[Pluvious]

^^ Did I pull some string of yours? Because you seem mad.

The reason Nash was brought here was to alleviate Kobe of his facilitator role so that he can focus more on scoring. Nash is, no doubt, better at running the pick and roll better but that doesn't mean Kobe can't run it at a high level too as evidenced by his recent play and stats to further back it up.

No. I'm simply trying to make a point about the team not hitting on all cylinders yet in relation to the facilitator/creator role. I have not seen any stats posted yet by anyone but feel free to post them if you would like.

Its really hard to make a judgement on the team yet. Too many things up in the air. I've been very happy with Kobe's facilitating. Very happy. And his scoring has really been impressive. If the Lakers had the top record it would be a close race for mvp with Lebron. The Kings game was really the first game that Kobe did a poor job since the Brown era was over. Great individual offense but poor facilitating.

On a side note I hope the lack of post play in this game is not a sign of things to come with D'Antonni as the coach.

[GREATNESS ONE]

Look at D'Antonis past teams. Look at their defense stats. The guy doesn't preach defense. Simple as that. His system is to outscore the opposition.

Defense wins championships and has been proven by past champions. Are we a defensive caliber team? No. My expectations are really low now D'Antoni is running the show. Do I honestly think they will win a championship? Nope, but I hope they prove me wrong and eat my words.

I hope you eat your own poop too!!

Dwight Howard only got 4 shots in the last game. If this doesn't change, this could get ugly.

This. Look no further for the problem, we're too smart not to be using D12 frequent and often.